Turtle Eggs...
Nooooo not for eating, even though this is the coffee house!
I was out watering the new grass sprouts in the front a couple nights ago and found a box turtle laying her eggs in a shallow hole in the middle of the new grass area. Turns out these things incubate for over 2 months and they're bound to get run over by the mower and the loader probably smashing them in that time.
Anybody ever had luck moving turtle eggs to a safer spot or incubating them until they hatch and can be released? Or is it a case of it ain't worth the trouble?
She did a great job covering the eggs. I had trouble finding the spot the next morning even though I knew exactly where to look. There was no obvious loose dirt, it was packed pretty well, only clue was some straw bunched up on one side.
I was out watering the new grass sprouts in the front a couple nights ago and found a box turtle laying her eggs in a shallow hole in the middle of the new grass area. Turns out these things incubate for over 2 months and they're bound to get run over by the mower and the loader probably smashing them in that time.
Anybody ever had luck moving turtle eggs to a safer spot or incubating them until they hatch and can be released? Or is it a case of it ain't worth the trouble?
She did a great job covering the eggs. I had trouble finding the spot the next morning even though I knew exactly where to look. There was no obvious loose dirt, it was packed pretty well, only clue was some straw bunched up on one side.
- freetown fred
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T, use a shovel to gently move the eggs w/ a good bit of dirt--make sure you show momma where they are. I had to do it once & that method worked fine. If momma tries walkin away, put her back & walk away some. I'm thinkin it took about 1/2 an hr. to get momma comfy with the whole thing. I was real careful not to touch anything except momma when movin her back a few times.
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A couple of times I've just put some markers around the nest & steered clear, clipped a bit of grass by hand. Never saw any coming out but found the holes open & empty. Did have to get rid of my doggy door because he would bring his buddies in but they were all alive so it wasn't too bad.
- davidmcbeth3
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Maybe just mark off the area and don't touch it for a couple of months?
I have found them burying eggs a few times in the past and normally do as suggested just leaving those areas alone.
This time it is right in front of a pile of dirt left over from the basement wall project, in the middle of the only approach for the loader as I move the pile. It's also right where i'll be hauling the border rocks back from where I piled them as we rebuild the front flower beds. I am sure to drive over it many times doing that stuff.
I don't think the mama turtle ever comes back to them once they are buried. I have never seen them hanging around or visiting the other nests in previous years.
This time it is right in front of a pile of dirt left over from the basement wall project, in the middle of the only approach for the loader as I move the pile. It's also right where i'll be hauling the border rocks back from where I piled them as we rebuild the front flower beds. I am sure to drive over it many times doing that stuff.
I don't think the mama turtle ever comes back to them once they are buried. I have never seen them hanging around or visiting the other nests in previous years.
- freetown fred
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T, my momma was not done burying the eggs when I found her--no, she won't come back after that is done. Just carefully move the clump. They'll head straight for the nearest water in a couple months. You got that water thingy you made up yes??? Ya ever see the momma around there?
- jpete
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I'm not one to cite government, but it may even be illegal to disturb a turtle nest. I think probably depending on the species.
- coaledsweat
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I know in Brewster, New York, if you push your old, junk car out of the parking lot and into the turtle preserve you'll be up to your neck in grief.
- freetown fred
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Yep, ya don't want to be touching any Loggerhead or sea turtle nests.
jpete wrote:I'm not one to cite government, but it may even be illegal to disturb a turtle nest. I think probably depending on the species.
Box turtles are not on the endangered list in MD so no laws would be broken by moving the eggs. People that travel our road routinely stop to help them across the road so they don't get hit. The snappers aren't so lucky as they routinely get picked up and taken home for dinner.
I have until next weekend before I get to the dirt pile so they will stay put for now. Maybe a raccoon or opossum will dig them up in the mean time. If they are still there, I have a spot in the back picked out yo move them to that gets plenty of sun and will go undisturbed while they incubate.
I have never seen a turtle at our little stream but we usually only run it a few days a week and its a pondless setup so no water there to attract them. The box turtles around here live mostly in the leaf litter of the state forest not necessarily at a water hole.
I have until next weekend before I get to the dirt pile so they will stay put for now. Maybe a raccoon or opossum will dig them up in the mean time. If they are still there, I have a spot in the back picked out yo move them to that gets plenty of sun and will go undisturbed while they incubate.
I have never seen a turtle at our little stream but we usually only run it a few days a week and its a pondless setup so no water there to attract them. The box turtles around here live mostly in the leaf litter of the state forest not necessarily at a water hole.