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Breeding Marginated Tortoises
To help establish your own breeding programme this page highlights major aspects of breeding Testudo marginata.
Breeding and management details have been discussed on the previous page. However, we have found this species to be especially good breeders if their care and management is maintained at optimim levels throughout the year and hibernation period.
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(Left) Plastron of a breeding male
This image shows the plastron markings. Sexing is usually straight forward when adult as the male's tail is very long, the surface of his underside is concave, the body shape is more slender and the marginal scutes are very pronounced. |
(Right) Plastron of a breeding female
This image of an adult female is typical for the species. Her more rounded shape of the body, reduced flaring of the margins, flat (or very slightly concave) plastron and short stubby tail are all reliable indicators of her sex.
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Incubation Procedures
Once eggs are laid they are cleaned with a soft brush and marked in pencil with date of laying and parent details. Eggs are incubated in a reptile incubator produced by Curfew Incubators of England. They are set on a mesh base and incubated at 32-32.5 C and a relative humidity of 70-80%. Hatching occurs between 62 and 72 days after the neonate has remained in the egg between 36-60 hours post pipping. |
Pipping of the egg at 60-70 days incubation
After 60-70 days incubation the young tortoise pips the eggshell as pulmonary respiration is established. Like birds, this complex chain of events can be predicted accurately so pipping is estimated to within 24 hours of accuracy. This knowledge facilitates assistance of those neonates in difficulty.
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Hatching commences after 36-60 hours
Approximately 36 hours after pipping the young tortoise begins to hatch. This is a protracted period as the folded carapace begins to straighten and exerts outward pressure on the eggshell resulting in further fracturing. |
Hatching completed
This image shows the actual moment of birth. The neonate can be immediately identified as a Marginated Tortoise as the folded plastron already has the unique markings for this species. The residual yolk sac is clearly visible and this is withdrawn into the abdomen after 24 hours.
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Neonate Marginated Tortoise
Immediately following hatching the neonatal tortoise rests in the incubator on clean paper tissue. This aids normal straightening of the shell and minimises the risk of navel infection. The youngster measures 30mm in length and weighs 14 grammes. |
Group of Marginated at 1 week old.
At one week old the young Marginated have completely withdrawn their yolk sac, straightened their folded body and have established a daily routine of basking and eating. Young are initially soaked every other day to aid elimination and provide an opportunity for drinking.
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