Creature Feature – Turtle Nest Success Becoming Critical

Right now, turtles are wandering in search of mates, territory and places to nest, so be extra vigilant while driving, especially near water.  If you encounter a female turtle laying eggs, keep pets away and don’t get too close.  When stressed, she might abandon laying, causing her to become egg-bound and die.  A majority of all turtle nests are pillaged by many predators.  In a perfect world, this doesn’t threaten their populations; because in undisturbed habitats, adult turtles can live a very long time. Longevity is necessary to replace themselves within the population. However, with thousands of adult turtles being killed on our roads each year, many species native to New York are now in decline.  So clutch success is increasingly important.  While it’s tempting to move a turtle or its eggs to a safer location, this can cause more harm than good.  You can, however, place a nest guard over turtle eggs laid on your property.  Using these predator-resistant, weighted cages can be beneficial when done right, but disastrous if not. Be sure to research the correct way to construct and monitor the guards to ensure the eggs and hatchlings are helped, not harmed.

Article & Photo by Margie Manthey