My friend has just bought a pair of Hermans privately from another friends parents. They are about 5 years old.

She is new to tortoises, and I know nothing at all about them, but she has done some research and seems to know what she is doing.

Today she found them doing what appeared to be mating. How likely is it she will get viable eggs, and if she does, is she allowed to hatch them? What paperwork will be involved. She says she has read it is hard to hatch tortoise eggs, is it any harder than incubating snake eggs?

Thanks.

I am SUCH an idiot!!!!!!!!!!!

They are Spur Thighed Torts, not Hermans!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

eggs are not difficult to hatch at all. breeding and egg viability depends on age and size. some also believe that succesful breeding is dependant on a good hibernation .

Thankyou. They haven't been hibernated at all yet, so I guess that means it won't happen? She wasn't intending on breeding anyway, so it doesn't matter.

Hi,

Young females can produce eggs without mating and she could be carrying some. Any signs of digging especially this hot weather? Also the male could get her in the mood to start developing them inside. Lots of things could happen, keep an eye on her, probably only a couple of eggs at a time over some months if she is still small. Torts are also very particular about where they lay and take some time selecting the right site, it's impossible to choose the site for them, I've tried! I would suggest you remove the male after a few hours mating to give her a rest, these Spur Thigh males can get really nasty as they get older!

If you have a heat mat, polystyrene box and habistate, you have what you need for incubation of eggs.

Good luck, Barb

Thanks.

She is keeping them together 24/7. As I said, I know nothing at all about them, but I think she was under the impression they were too young to breed.

Also, they are in a viv, with ceramic, stat and UV, which is what they came in. They do have an outside 'run' though, and they go out there during the day. My friend has said she will geta tortoise table for them when she moves house, which is early next year, but should she do this sooner?

The torts, by memory, are maybe about 5/6 inches acorss their shell from front to back.

The toises are totaly inmature many years will pass before they are totaly ready When they are like 10 it will be more likely. Also if they are a copple I dont recomend housing them together when they reach sexual maturity, male toises are ready to mate 24/7 and they stress and even seriously injure females with their mating atempts because in captivity the female simply cant outrun him. Also the male will reach sexual maturity earlier then the female and can mate with her with her dont being totaly mature yet, wich can lead to egg bound and death. Tell your friend to be ready for that. As for paper work, if your in europe, yes its needed and for that the local nature protecion adjency must be contacted. Also dont forget the parent toises must be temselfes fully documented in order to be legal

Females can easily breed at 5/6 years and if there are eggs they have to come or they can calcifi. The best thing to do is seperate them, give the female access to a digging area. The vet can exray in the Autumn to see if she is still carrying eggs. If empty, let them hibernate in boxes with hay in a cold area, that's the most natural thing. I shouldn't worry too much now, just let them enjoy this hot sun on their backs and yes you will need DERFA paperwork for them and any babies.
Barb.