When it comes to hatching eggs, Leopard tortoises like to take their time. When eggs are laid, it can take over a year for the hatchlings to emerge. They also require optimal conditions to make each clutch successful. Adverse weather conditions and high amounts of rainfall can doom a clutch of eggs. As the eggs are usually laid in a burrow, the ground quality can also make things difficult. Embryos might not even develop until the ideal conditions are present.