What to do when a red ear slider lays eggs?

Answer 1

First of all, Red Eared Sliders (RES) are majorly overpopulated, and are an invasive species in a lot of areas. So unless you plan on keeping all babies yourself, or putting some effort into finding responsible homes for the babies, don't bother trying to hatch the eggs.

If the eggs were laid underwater and they weren't taken out right away, they are dead, and you might as well just dispose of them. Also if the Female turtle hasn't been in contact with a male turtle in more than 6 months, the egg wont be fertile. Females can lay eggs without ever mating.

If the female has been in contact with a male in the last 6 months, and the eggs are either laid on land or caught within 10 minutes of being laid in the water here's how to incubate them.

1. DO NOT ROTATE EGGS! If the eggs are rotated it kills the developing embryo. Safest thing to do is to mark to top of any eggs you find with a china marker or pencil BEFORE you move them. Once that is done you can handle them carefully.

2. Collect eggs one at a time and place them in a clean, soap free dish (old tupperware, deli containers, etc.) that has been filled with about 2 inches of moist, sterile substrate. Usually vermiculite is suggested, but perlite, paper towel, and clean soil can also be used. It can be helpful to make small dents in the substrate, roughly the width and half the length of your thumb to set the eggs in. Once all eggs are collected just set the lid on top of the container. Don't seal it as air needs to circulate.

3. In a larger waterproof container (an aquarium, or cooler works well) add about 3 inches of water. Use an aquarium heater to keep the water temperature at 86ºF. Monitor the temperature of the water using a floating aquarium thermometer. You can either float the egg container in the water if it's stable, or set it on something so that about 1" of the container is under water.

4. Use another thermometer and a hygrometer (humidity gauge) inside the egg container. Humidity should be around 80-85%, and the temperature should be between 82-86ºF. More males will develop at lower temperatures, more females at higher temperatures. If eggs are fertile they should hatch anywhere from 60-90 days.

5. Once eggs start hatching DO NOT TOUCH THEM! Baby turtles will open their shells before their yolk sack is fully absorbed. It's safer for them if you wait til they are fully out of their egg on their own before you try handling them.

6.Once their yolk sack is fully absorbed, and their "belly button" has closed you can move them to a clean enclosure with about 2 inches of water and a very easy to access basking spot. Giving them some plastic leaves to hind under also makes them more comfortable. Their basking spot should be at 90ºF, and they need a UVB light as well. Water doesn't need to be heated.

7. Feed baby turtles in a separate container. Offer them a variety of foods including, tropical fish flakes and pellets, baby turtle pellets, frozen fish foods (blood worms, brine shrimp, etc.) and small amounts of finely shredded vegetables such as dandelion leaves, green peas, kale, and collard. Give them an hour or more to eat their fill.

Answer 2

it self destructs