When Do Chinese Pond Turtles Lay Eggs? A Detailed Guide to Egg-Laying Time
The Chinese pond turtle, also known as the golden coin turtle or water turtle, is a very popular turtle on the market. It can not only be kept as a pet but also eaten, and after being raised for a certain period it will lay eggs. So when do Chinese pond turtles lay eggs?
1. When do Chinese pond turtles lay eggs?
Chinese pond turtles generally lay eggs between May and August, but they need to be raised for about 5 years before they will lay eggs. When laying, each female turtle lays eggs 3-4 times a year, with 5-7 eggs each time. But if kept at home, it is very difficult for them to lay eggs, mainly because factors such as temperature, humidity and soil make it hard for the turtle to lay eggs.
2. How do Chinese pond turtles lay eggs?
1. Natural incubation
(1) Dig a sand pit 20—40 cm wide and 20 cm deep (length unlimited) at the foot of a sun-facing wall of the parent turtle pond; then fill the pit level with yellow sand, arrange the turtle eggs in the sandy soil at a spacing of 1 cm; maintain a certain humidity, and let the sun warm them, and hatchlings will emerge in 50—60 days.
(2) Pile several small sand heaps around the parent turtle pond, and let mature breeding turtles climb ashore at night, dig holes in the sand heaps to lay eggs, and let them hatch naturally; in about 50—70 days the young turtles will emerge.
2. Artificial incubation
Place the collected turtle eggs in a wooden box 25 cm high (length unlimited, width adapted to local conditions), drill several small holes in the bottom of the box, spread 15—20 cm of sand on the bottom, arrange the turtles in the sand, then scatter fine sand about 2 cm thick over the eggs, cover the sand with a wet towel, and keep the indoor humidity at 25—35 degrees. On dry, sunny days, sprinkle water on the sand 1—2 times a day; when the air humidity is relatively high, the number of waterings can be reduced. Cover the box well with a wet cloth; when the hatchlings emerge, this can prevent the hatchlings from escaping, prevent attacks by predators, and prevent mosquito bites. In this way the hatchlings emerge in 50—60 days, with a hatching rate of over 90%.