Libby lays her Eggs!

03 June 2011

One of our Sulcata tortoises, Libby, gave our visitors a real treat on Thursday.

Reptile House Manager, Martin, recognised that she was ready to lay her eggs so he gave her a big paddock to explore and find the perfect place to dig a nest.

She picked a spot where all our visitors could watch this exciting event take place. After Libby had dug out a perfect nest a crowd gathered to watch her lay her eggs. We got some pictures for everyone to see.

In Africa in the wild, the Sulcata would bury the eggs and then leave them to hatch and fend for themselves. But in order to give the eggs the best chance of hatching Martin took the eggs to his special incubator in the Reptile House. It could take as long as 9 months to hatch, but as soon as they do, Martin will be ready to give them the best care, and the best start to a long life. They could live to be 100!

Farmer Anthony