Map turtle help please!!

[naomi]

Hi all

I have had my two maps for about 6 months now. I did a lot of research before taking them on from someone who could no longer keep them, but of course hours of reading is no substitute for experience.

I did not know the sex of the pair when I got them, but a little research soon determined both their identity (neither one a mississippi as originally sold) and that one was male and one female, almost certainly.

The male has always pestered the female quite alot, but in the last week I have also seen him mounting her. I suppose I knew this day would come but I didn't really think they were old enough yet (not that I know their exact age). I am worried now because I don't have the room to separate them and also I am concerned about whether I can offer the extra care needed to a female who needs to lay her eggs, and the worry of the medical issues that can arise with this sort of thing.

Any advice would be much appreciated. I would feel awful having to rehome one of them, as I think I shouldn't have taken them on in the first place if I can't offer the proper care But if this is the best option, then I will have to.

Thanks in advance

[wayne020668]

hi, could we ask what size the tank is please and what temp the water is set it now... please so we can advise you properly.....

regards Wayne...

[naomi]

The tank is 100x40x40cm, but not quite filled to the top. Temp is set to 23C but the thermometer at the other end of the tank to the heater says 22.

[wayne020668]

hi, first of all i would recommend turning your water temp up to around 26c to 27c this is because the female when water temps are low find it hard to discourage the males advances and by raising this water temp she can now fend him off and he will get message so this should solve your little mating problem... but and urge is an urge... and if they have mated this does not mean that you will have egg's or babies. simple sign's of the female trying to lay eggs would include her digging the sand or gravel in one spot and if she does lay any in the tank then you can simply remove them and dis guard them. should you want to incubate them then please feel free to ring me for all the info..

regards Wayne..

[naomi]

Thanks! Good news that I shouldn't have to part with one of them I will turn up the temp right away.

My substrate is large ornamental gravel at one end of the tank and bare at the other - do I need to create an area of sand where she could lay if she needs to?

Thanks.