Red-eared turtles breed in captivity only if the rules for their maintenance are followed and favorable conditions for mating are created. Turtles are anxious about the choice of a partner, it is desirable that several males and females be placed in the aviary. If a pair is formed and mating is successful, the turtles need to arrange a suitable place to lay their eggs.
Red-eared turtles are unpretentious animals that quickly adapt to domestic conditions. But in captivity, they rarely produce offspring: this requires special conditions of detention.
In general, breeding red-eared turtles should not be a problem for the owner. Females lay eggs on their own, you just need to provide proper care: a suitable habitat, proper nutrition, freedom of movement and peace.
Partner selection
The best breeding time for turtles is from February to May. For successful breeding at home, it is advisable to place several individuals of the same species in one terrarium. The ratio of females to males 2: 1 contributes to the manifestation of mating behavior in animals. If several pairs live in the aquarium and a good relationship has been established between the two individuals, you need to plant other turtles for a while. There is a high probability that "this is love" and mating will take place soon.
The age of the animals must be taken into account when choosing the right turtles for mating. Turtles should be sexually mature, but not old. The ideal age is 5 years.
Choosing a mating site
Sometimes males and females are kept separately, moving to a common aviary only during the mating period. In this case, it is advisable to move the female turtle into the territory of the male. You can use a separate terrarium with warm water for mating, the depth of which does not exceed 10 cm.
Mating of turtles occurs in water and on land, and one fertilization is enough for several (4-5) clutches. Sperm can be stored in the female genitals for a long time - up to two years.
Choosing a place for masonry
If mating does not occur, it is possible to stimulate the reproduction of animals by increasing the temperature of the water and increasing the length of daylight hours in the aviary. If there is no "land" in the aquarium where the turtles live, you need to build an artificial beach. In order for the female to lay eggs, a gentle shore with a layer of sand of 3-5 cm is required. It happens that the turtle makes a clutch directly into the water, then the eggs must be removed immediately.
Often, red-eared turtles lay unfertilized eggs, like many other reptiles. If a female living alone has laid a clutch, there is no point in looking after the eggs. It is only when several turtles of both sexes are permanently residing in the aquarium that there is a chance of mating.
Egg care
The most difficult stage in reproduction is egg care. The masonry must be very carefully placed in an incubator, which can be used as an ordinary glass jar with sand. The jar should be heated with an incandescent lamp or placed near a battery, and the sand should be moistened regularly. The optimum temperature in the incubator is 28–30 ° С.
Eggs must be protected from mold and ventilated. Breeding turtles is a big responsibility and a tough job for breeders. But all the troubles will be rewarded when little turtles are born in 2-3 months.
