September 7, 2009
Tortoise from Rainforest exhibit digs nest and lays eggs on the Fairgrounds
A mature and obviously relaxed African Spur-thigh tortoise surprised everyone when it began digging a hole during an exercise break and began nesting and laying eggs. “This is a first, this just hasn’t happened before,” said Brad Tylman, founder of Brad’s World Reptiles, presenters of the Rainforest Experience exhibit appearing at the Alaska State Fair.
“We’ve had tortoises make nests in straw and lay eggs, but never have we had one that was outside dig a hole and lay, “ said Joy Marzolf, one of the educational presenters at the Fair Rainforest exhibit.
The turtle, an African Spur-thigh land tortoise is native to Africa, and like many of the other reptiles appearing at the exhibit, is rescued or captive farmed and not removed from the wild. It is a mature female capable of laying up to 25 to 30 eggs, but in this case, she only laid five. The eggs will be hatched in a climate-controlled cage.
African Spur-thigh tortoises can grow very large and it is unusual for them to feel relaxed enough in a Fair setting to dig an open-air nesting hole and lay eggs. According to Marzolf, females usually go into a “zen-like” state when they lay. After she laid the eggs, she was soaked in water to prevent dehydration.
The emerging baby tortoises, officially called mini-torties will be raised by the crew of Brad’s World Reptiles to assist in future educational exhibits.
For video and photos of this event and a link to Brad’s World Reptiles website.
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