Common snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) are widespread reptiles found across diverse aquatic environments throughout North America. Recognized for their considerable size, powerful bite, and distinctive long, saw-toothed tail, these turtles are often encountered near ponds, lakes, and rivers.
Snapping Turtle Egg Size and Appearance
Snapping turtle eggs are distinctly spherical, often compared in size to a ping-pong ball or a quarter, typically measuring between 2.5 to 4 centimeters (approximately 1 to 1.5 inches) in diameter. This perfectly round form sets them apart from the more oval or elongated eggs produced by many other turtle species. This shape aids in efficient packing within the nest chamber.
Their coloration ranges from pure white to a creamy white. Freshly laid eggs might exhibit a faint bluish-white hue, which usually transitions to a chalky white as the shell undergoes a natural drying process. This lack of strong pigmentation may assist in temperature regulation during incubation by allowing sunlight to penetrate.
Their shell’s texture is leathery, flexible, and somewhat soft, rather than hard and brittle like a bird’s egg. This pliable nature enables the eggs to absorb essential moisture from the surrounding soil and expand as the embryo grows. The flexible shell also helps the eggs endure the pressure exerted by the female turtle as she compacts the soil over the nest, providing protection.
Nesting Habits and Clutch Size
Female snapping turtles leave their aquatic homes to find nesting sites during late spring to early summer, with June being the most active period. They seek well-drained, sunny locations with loose soil, sand, or gravel, such as soil banks or road shoulders. These sites can be a significant distance, sometimes up to a mile, from water.
The female uses her powerful hind legs to excavate a shallow, flask-shaped nest, a process that can take several hours. She may dig multiple “test pits” before selecting the final site. Once ready, she carefully deposits her eggs, positioning them with her hind feet.
A clutch typically contains 20 to 40 eggs, though larger females can lay up to 80. After laying, the female meticulously covers and camouflages the nest with soil to protect it from predators. She then returns to the water, providing no further parental care.
Development and Hatching
Snapping turtle eggs typically incubate for 60 to 90 days, though this period can vary from 50 to over 100 days depending on temperature and humidity. Warmer temperatures generally lead to quicker development, while cooler conditions prolong it. Hatchlings usually emerge from nests between August and October.
A unique biological feature is temperature-dependent sex determination. Intermediate incubation temperatures tend to produce male hatchlings, while cooler or warmer extremes result in females. This means the temperature during a specific developmental window dictates the sex ratio of the emerging turtles.
To break free from their leathery shells, hatchlings utilize a temporary “egg tooth” on their snout. This specialized projection helps them to “pip” or crack open the shell, a process that can span one to two days. This egg tooth naturally disappears shortly after the turtle emerges.
Newly hatched snapping turtles are small, typically about an inch long and dark. They are born with an innate drive to find water and immediately embark on this journey after digging out of the nest. Their small size and lack of parental care make them highly susceptible to predation during this initial, vulnerable stage.
What to Do If You Find Turtle Eggs
If you discover snapping turtle eggs, the most important action is to leave them undisturbed. Handling or moving the eggs can be fatal to the developing embryos. Unlike bird eggs, turtle embryos adhere to the inside of the shell shortly after being laid, and rotating the egg can cause the embryo to detach from its yolk, leading to its death.
Mother turtles instinctively choose appropriate nesting sites, even if the location seems less than ideal to human observers. Interfering with the nest or the nesting female may cause her to abandon egg-laying or choose an unsuitable alternative site. It is best to observe the nest from a distance, avoiding close approaches that could disturb the turtle or attract predators.
If a nest appears to be in immediate danger, such as on a construction site, in a high-traffic area, or at risk of flooding, contact local wildlife authorities, a certified wildlife rehabilitator, or a conservation organization. These professionals have the specialized knowledge and permits to assess the situation and, if necessary, safely relocate the eggs.
Many turtle species, along with their eggs, are protected by state and federal laws. Disturbing or collecting turtle eggs without proper authorization is often illegal. Responsible observation and promptly contacting experts play a significant role in supporting the conservation efforts for these reptiles.