How long do baby tortoises take to leave the egg?
From the time when they initially pierce the egg, it usually takes between 8-24 hours. The first small fracture is to permit air breathing to begin – prior to this time the embryos oxygen demand has been met via permeation through the egg shell. This first small hole is gradually enlarged over the next few hours. The hatchling may then sit in the egg for quite some time whilst its egg sac is absorbed. Until this is absorbed, the hatchling remains especially vulnerable as movement is seriously impaired.
