Five years of Chelonia conservation by the Nature Protection Trust of Seychelles

Published source details Gerlach J. (2003) Five years of Chelonia conservation by the Nature Protection Trust of Seychelles. Testudo, 5.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Breed reptiles in captivity: Tortoises, terrapins, side-necked & softshell turtles Action Link
	Breed reptiles in captivity: Tortoises, terrapins, side-necked & softshell turtles Action Link

Breed reptiles in captivity: Tortoises, terrapins, side-necked & softshell turtles

A study in 1997–2003 in a captive facility in Silhouette, Seychelles (Gerlach 2003; same experimental set-up as Gerlach 2011) found that some black mud turtle Pelusios subniger parietalis eggs hatched in captivity, but that chestnut-bellied mud turtle Pelusios castanoides intergularis eggs did not hatch in captivity. In the 1997–1998 and 1998–1999 breeding seasons, no black mud turtle eggs hatched in captivity, although clutches were laid. In 1999–2000, one of 18 eggs hatched (two clutches laid), in 2000–2001, nine of 23 eggs hatched (three clutches laid), in 2001–2002, twelve of 25 eggs hatched (three clutches laid) and in 2002–2003, six of 8 eggs hatched (clutch numbers not reported). In 1999–2003, no chestnut-bellied mud turtle eggs hatched although clutches were laid in 2000–2001 (three eggs laid), 2001–2002 (two eggs laid) and 2002–2003 (24 eggs laid). The authors reported that incubation humidity was too high for chestnut-bellied mud turtle eggs. In 1997–1998, five captive black mud turtles (one male, four females) and five chestnut-bellied mud turtles (two males, three females) were brought to a captive facility (see original report for husbandry details). In 1999, four of five black mud turtles died in captivity and were replaced with five captive black mud turtles (three males, two females). In 2000–2001, two further female captive black mud turtles were added. No details of incubation are provided.

(Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)
Breed reptiles in captivity: Tortoises, terrapins, side-necked & softshell turtles

A study in 1999–2002 in naturally-vegetated outdoor captive enclosures in Silhouette Island, Seychelles (Gerlach 2003; same experimental set-up as Gerlach 2011) found that one female Seychelles giant tortoise Dipsochelys hololissa and one female Arnold’s giant tortoise Dipsochelys arnoldi successfully bred in captivity. From 1999–2001, all of the 160 eggs laid by three female Arnold’s giant tortoises and all of the 47 eggs laid by a single female Seychelles giant tortoise in captivity were infertile. In 2002, three of at least 13 (23%) Arnold’s giant tortoise eggs (laid by one female) and two of 21 (10%) Seychelles giant tortoise eggs (laid by one female) hatched successfully in captivity. All successfully hatched eggs were artificially incubated. Eggs reburied in the ground did not hatch and eggs left in situ were predated by crabs. The authors reported that the Arnold’s giant tortoise offspring were thought to be Seychelles-Arnold giant tortoise hybrids. In 1997–1999, three male and three female Arnold’s giant tortoises, four male and two female Seychelles giant tortoises, and one juvenile Aldabra tortoise Dipsochelys dussumieri were brought to a captive facility. In 1999–2002, three female Arnold’s giant tortoises laid 21 clutches between them (6–16 eggs/clutch, two clutches with unknown clutch size) and one female Seychelles giant tortoise laid four clutches (14–21 eggs/clutch). In 2002, eggs were artificially incubated at 29–30°C.

(Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)