---

Animalia >Chordata >Reptilia >Testudines >BATAGURIDAE >Mauremys >

A Japanese pond turtle laying eggs on planter. The turtle has been in captivity since it was in egg and was collected at Shigaraki, Shiga prefecture in 1998. The turtle had never laid eggs until this time. Laid eggs were supposed to be unfertilized.

Egg laying probably started around 9:00-9:30. The turtle dug dry soil in the planter. Water was supplied to enable the turtle to dig more easily. In the first cut, the turtle used its hindlegs by turns to shovel soil out.

The turtle laid six eggs in total. The movie shows the 3rd (AM10:25), the 5th (AM10:31), and the 6th (AM10:33) ones. Then, the turtle gently touched eggs with its hindlegs, and eggs were soon covered with soil (the 4-5th cut).

Unexpectedly, the turtle dug eggs out again. This behaviour itself was not in the movie, but the final cut shows that all eggs were exposed. After then, turtle walked over and crushed eggs. The reason for the failure of egg laying is not clear.

(Data No.momo040806mj01b)

Copyrights belong to author.
Read Terms of Service carefully

>>Japanese

[Database Home]