Save the Negev Desert Tortoise!

Dear Desert Tortoise Supporters,

In our last report, we were excited that after a long, dry spell, our desert tortoise breeding group produced 3 eggs.

As is customary to ensure optimal conditions for hatching, the eggs were placed in an incubator and we are now waiting for them to hatch.

These tiny tortoises become sexually mature when about 5 years old. In captivity, they mate in April and in August to November. During courtship, the male will ram the female, sometimes chasing after her. Eggs are laid in shallow bowls beneath bushes, or in vacant burrows. Each clutch contains one to five eggs, which hatch in the summer or early autumn.

Please send your positive thoughts our way as we wait and hope for the tiny eggs to hatch and produce more tiny tortoises. Every new tortoise helps towards saving this critically endangered species.

Yours, in hope -

Team Tortoise at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo

Desert Tortoise 10th Report

Dear Desert Tortoise Supporters,

Great news! Our breeding core of tiny – and exceptionally cute – Desert Tortoises has produced 3 eggs! After a long dry spell, this is a wonderful ray of hope.

To ensure optimal conditions for hatching, the eggs have been placed in an incubator.The incubator is an apparatus that is used for environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity that needs to be controlled. It is often used for growing bacterial cultures, hatching eggs artificially, or providing suitable conditions for a chemical or biological reaction. Incubators hatch not only bird eggs, but also reptile eggs. It allows the fetus inside of the egg to grow without the mother needing to be present to provide warmth. An incubator is supposed to be able to set the perfect environment and condition for an egg to incubate because it regulates the factors such as temperature, humidity, and turning the eggs when necessary. It effectively plays the role of the mother in its natural state. The incubator also allows the egg to incubate while eliminating the external threats that could possibly harm the eggs.

Please send your positive thoughts our way as we wait and hope for the tiny eggs to hatch and produce more tiny tortoises. Every new tortoise helps towards saving this critically endangered species.

Yours, in hope -

Team Tortoise at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo