Russian Tortoise Egg Development

(click on the pictures to view full size)

Newly laid eggs have a translucent appearance when candled. At times you you can see the yolk as a yellow mass at the bottom of the egg. The first sign of a viable egg is a darker area.

By 7 days the white spot has expanded to form a band around the egg.	;
As the egg develops the tortoise appears as a black spot
	At 6 weeks what looks like a bubble forms on top. The embryo (to the right) is much larger.
Within a week, the egg will appear black on candling. But. with a very bright light and the proper angle, the bubble will seem to have grown. By 8 weeks the "bubble" is much larger as the yolk is absorbed.
	Within 8-10 weeks, the eggs start to hatch. The arrows point to cracks in the egg shell. This is at 66 days.
A few hours later the head pokes out.
	The next day it breaks free.
Wore out and a little dented looking.
	It still has a small yolk sack.
A crease is visible where the tortoise  was folded in the egg.
About 2 weeks later, they are eating and growing. The one on the right is from another clutch. Notice the lighter color.

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