Turtle eggs can be collected in a number of different ways, depending on the health of the turtle. The first step, though, is often an X-ray to determine the number of eggs the female is carrying.
Nesting
If a female turtle is well enough, she can be encouraged to lay her eggs on her own. In the wild, turtles nest on dry land, although each species has its own preferences when it comes to how wet, dry, sandy or deep the nest should be. Many centers can provide smaller species with suitable material for a nest (finding enough space for larger species to lay eggs in captivity can be a challenge!). Left undisturbed, the turtles will often nest on their own and lay their eggs — which can then be harvested, counted, incubated and hatched.
Induction
If a turtle is too severely injured to nest on her own — contamination with sand or other materials can worsen wounds — she can be given a drug to “induce” the laying of eggs. This procedure uses the same drug that is used to encourage labor in humans! Every species is different in their reaction to induction, with some taking longer than others to respond. As with nesting, once the induced eggs are laid they are collected and counted before being incubated.
Egg Removal
Sometimes, a deceased female is brought in to a center, or perhaps a turtle dies shortly after arrival. Thankfully, her eggs can still be harvested surgically. This allows conservationists to ensure the continuation of the mother’s genes.