Breeding Spider Tortoises with Ralph Till - Before It's Too Late

<p>In this episode of <strong>Turtle Tea with TTPG</strong>, host Wendy Montroy welcomes back expert breeder Ralph Till to dive into the specifics of breeding the Spider Tortoise (<em>Pyxis arachnoides</em>). They cover breeding group ratios, managing egg diapause, incubation parameters, and successful hatchling care strategies to support species conservation.Key Topics Covered in This Episode: - Why Spider Tortoises should be kept in breeding groups rather than as single pets - Ideal male-to-female ratios (2.2 or 3.3) and breeding behavior after brumation - Low reproductive output: Why Spider Tortoises only lay 1-4 eggs per year - Step-by-step egg diapause protocol: Incubation temperatures (88-89F) and cooling periods (64F) - Incubation timelines ranging from 154 days to over 300 days - Essential hatchling care: Hydration, soaking routines, and closed-chamber setups - Conservation status, captive population management, and bloodline tradingGuest Contact:Ralph Till: <a href="mailto:rascal1843@aol.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">rascal1843@aol.com</a>About Turtle Tea &amp; TTPG:Turtle Tea is a show dedicated to turtle and tortoise species, husbandry, and conservation, produced under the mission of the Turtle &amp; Tortoise Preservation Group (TTPG). Our goal is to build a digital library of expert knowledge for keepers, breeders, and conservationists of all experience levels.Learn more about TTPG and support chelonian conservation:Website: <a href="https://www.ttpg.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">https://www.ttpg.org/</a>Q&amp;A Summary:Q: What is the ideal group ratio for breeding Spider Tortoises?A: Balanced ratios such as 2.2 or 3.3 work best. Having multiple males stimulates breeding interest, whereas single pair setups often result in lower activity.Q: How do you handle Spider Tortoise egg diapause?A: Eggs are placed in an incubator at 88-89F with ~80% humidity for 5 weeks, transferred to a cooling unit at 64F for 5 weeks, and then returned to the incubator until hatching.Q: How often do Spider Tortoises lay eggs?A: Females typically lay 1 egg per clutch, producing between 1 to 4 eggs per season.Q: How long does it take for a Spider Tortoise egg to hatch?A: Incubation times vary widely, typically taking anywhere from 154 days to well over 300 days depending on environmental triggers and diapause cycles.Q: What is critical for Spider Tortoise hatchling care?A: Daily soaking and access to clean water are vital from day one, a