By Nicole Wexler | Director of Development
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
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