Background: The studywas conducted to investigate the effect of age and body weight of first lay on egg number and egg weight among four breeds of tortoises in two different ecological zones. A total of sixty (60) tortoises were selected from two distinct ecological zones namely: Freshwater Swamp (Greek tortoise – Testudo graeca, and West African Black Mud tortoise –Pelusioscastaneus) and lowland Rainforest (Marginated tortoise – Testudo marginata and African Spurred tortoise – Centrochelyssulcata) and their external egg quality traits (EEQTs) were assessed.The results indicated that Age at first egg (AFE) and body weight at first egg (BWFE) were significant (P<0.05) affected by egg number (EN) and egg weight (EWT). EWTshowed a similar trend toBWFEin the various genotypes studied.Testudo marginataexhibited the maximumEN and AFE, with Pelusioscastaneus, Testudo graeca, and Centrochlyssulcata showing progressively lower values.BWFE was highest in T.graeca decreasing through C.sulcata, and T.marginata, toP.castaneus. Highest egg quality traits values were recorded in T.marginata, followed in descending order by T. graeca, C.sulcata and P.castaneus. These results illustrate the, potential of T. marginata for egg production and quality enhancement. In conclusion, the evidence demonstrates superior egg laying performance and quality traits in this humid region, highlighting their suitability for micro-livestock production.
