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Huge turtle laying eggs in sand...
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Posted by marylandmojo (My Page) on Tue, Jul 12, 05 at 22:33
| I'm totally new to this forum--post on the Birdwatching forums, and others. Nevertheless, I'm glad to know such a forum exists. As Birdwatchers would say, a "Lifer" for me, today--saw something I had never seen (and I'm old) and managed to photograph it, but the only camera I had in the vehicle was a 35mm (not digital). So, I'll get the film developed, later. What I would call a HUGE red water turtle--huge for the variety, anyway, but nowhere big as a Snapper can get--about 18" long, maybe a foot wide, (I'm guessing 20 pounds) dug a hole that appeared about as big as a small, dinner plate, and kept plunking eggs into in as I watched. I couldn't count them all; I was actually trying to accomplish another task, but I kept checking, and in about 20-30 minutes I would say, she had covered them--and noticed me, as she was finishing. (During the egg-laying process, her eyes were glazed over, and she didn't seem to notice me, as I was taking pictures). I actually brought the Turtle home, a few miles. Found her at a newly abandoned farm, that is about to be developed. Developers either drained a large pond, or it went dry on its own, but not a drop of water in it. She had come from that area (by her track in the tall grass), about 500 yards, to the front of an abandoned barn, to lay her eggs in the sandy soil. She had also done this in the recent past, because I found an old nest, that looked like it had been dug up, no more than 50 feet from the fresh one--with remnants of egg shells scattered about--seemed like 12 to 15. Who knows, maybe the turtles hatched first, and something dug the shells up after. I saw the post by LAS23, "Turtle eggs--what shall I do". My post is similar, except I have NO control over the property where this occurred; and I happened to be there at a time when no one else was present. Doubt I'll find that situation, again. I have the turtle in an enclosure at my house--why, I don't actually know, but thought I would take her to where there really IS water--figured the bulldozers might make squashed turtle out of her. The eggs?? Hope predators don't get them tonight (this happened about 6:00 in the late afternoon, and about 90 degrees here, today, while she was laying eggs). Can someone knowledgable tell me what they would do; first, with the turtle, and second, should I try and do anything at all with the eggs? I can't think of anyway I can help the egg situation. I've seen these red water turtles many times around ponds, etc. (generally much smaller). They have a green, chain-looking design, on a yellow head. I'll do a seach to identify the turtle, properly, but figured someone might know the variety. Thanks. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Huge turtle laying eggs in sand...
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| Check out *Red-bellied Turtle* on the web and see if that is what you have. They are nesting here in Maryland at this time and can get to be about a foot long, (carapace) upper shell length. The dug out nest with the shell fragments was likely done by a raccoon, fox or some other critter. It may have been the previous nest of this same female,they can lay several clutches, or maybe it was the nest of another turtle. I would put a chicken wire enclosure around the nest to give the hatchlings a chance at survival. Then I would mark off on a calendar the period 75 to 90 daysfrom when she laid the eggs and I would look for the hatchlings to come up at that time... they'll be about the size of a quarter. Then I would carry them to a nearby pond and release them on the ground by the edge of the pond. Otherwise they are likely to get eaten by crows and other critters on their way to the water. Also be aware that some hatchlings will just stay under the ground and overwinter there and come out next year in the spring. If you are sure that the area is being developed, then, the best thing you can possibly do, is take the turtle to the nearest pond and release her. If the nest is going to be destroyed by development, you might consider re-locating the eggs to a place near another pond where they will at least have a chance at survival...that means digging a nest about the same size and width as this one. What county are you in? |
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