Cameras captured four-clawed tortoises laying eggs in a nature reserve in Huocheng County of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. 

The reptile, which is endemic to Central Asia, is under first-class state protection in China. Huocheng County in Xinjiang is their only habitat in the country.

It is the first time in five years female tortoises have laid eggs after natural mating in the reserve.

The two females, rescued from the wild five years ago, started to dig holes, using their hind legs, about two to three hours before laying eggs. 

Currently, there are less than 2,000 of the tortoise in the country, most of which are in captivity. Females usually lay one to four eggs from May to June, fewer than most tortoise species. In natural conditions, eggs will hatch in about six months, but the baby tortoise could stay in the shell until next year. 

Tortoises can live for up to 100 years.

(Cover image via video screenshot)

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