Monday, June 3, 2013

Snapping Turtle

We have never had a snapping turtle on the property.  I saw this guy during a rain storm near the driveway.  





Snappers will travel extensively overland to reach new habitat or to lay eggs.   This species mates from April through November, with their peak laying season in June and July. The female can hold sperm for several seasons, using it as necessary. Females travel over land to find sandy soil in which to lay their eggs, often some distance from the water. After digging a hole, the female typically deposits 25 to 80 eggs each year, guiding them into the nest with her hind feet and covering them with sand for incubation and protection. Incubation time is temperature-dependent, ranging from 9 to 18 weeks. In cooler climates, hatchlings overwinter in the nest. 

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