Ok so I am at a loss right now. A woman...who used to be on this site gave me her tortoise for my daughter for Christmas. Needless to say, Christmas mornign my 4 year old was in shock. Of course he wasn't her first Tortoise, but he was unique! An over grown beak and a few minor old injuries made him special for her. All was great for Christmas....
Until the next morning. I woke up to discover, my elder female had perished on top of her nesting spot, and below her lifeless body were 4 eggs. She had not layed eggs in the last 8 years. I take her to the vet regularly and they said her age prevented her from having more eggs. I never wanted her to have any in the first place. Once the vet told me she was infertile I placed her with an elder male, yes they were both past peak sexual maturity. I almost got exited about the eggs, but when I though of my poor tortoise, she was such a big part of our family. I don't know what to tell my daughter she is way too young to comprehend death quite yet. I am trying to put one that looks like her in there for now. But since I adopted all of mine I am not sure where to get another adult female. If any one knows please let me know. I live in Rhose Island and the pet stores here keep their tortoise is such bad conditions I don't want one from them. Who knows what type of desease or parasites they may have.
