Wendy sits down with long-time keeper and founding member of the Kleinmanni Assurance Project (KAP), Ralph Till, for a deep dive into breeding the critically endangered Egyptian tortoise. Ralph shares decades of hands-on experience, including ideal female size and age, seasonal breeding behaviors, how to set up reliable nest boxes, incubation best practices, and what to expect from hatchlings during their first fragile month of life.

They also explore the origins and goals of KAP - an initiative built to establish genetically diverse assurance colonies across the United States following the ESA regulation changes. Ralph explains how KAP places animals, why meticulous record-keeping matters, and what it really takes for new keepers to responsibly join the effort.

If you’re interested in working with Egyptian tortoises, or just want a rare behind-the-scenes look at conservation-minded captive breeding, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Chapters

0:04 - Breeding Egyptian Tortoises

1:08 - Maturity and Egg Laying

2:46 - Breeding Season in Captivity

4:13 - Egg Incubation Techniques

8:11 - Hatchling Care

10:29 - Transitioning to Adult Care

11:52 - Getting Started with Breeding

16:16 - The Kleinmanni Assurance Project

20:35 - Advice for New Keepers

23:05 - Importance of Genetic Diversity

27:35 - Building a Supportive Community

For more info:

TTPG Group Discussion on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TTPGGroup/

Kleinmanni Assurance Project (KAP)
https://www.kleinmanniassuranceproject.com/

Turtle & Tortoise Preservation Group (TTPG)
https://ttpg.org/