Last week when I was at VINS, the grassy slopes were covered
with dozens of newly hatched snapping turtles. About the size of a half dollar
coin, they were hastily heading toward the Ottaquechee River which was
invisible from the nest sites.
There are at least 2 snapping turtle nest sites on the lawns
at Upper Valley Aquatic Center (UVAC). I watched the females lay the eggs back in June. Mid September is the
time most snapping turtles hatch in these parts. But I haven’t seen any action here
at UVAC yet. If the eggs do not
hatch, they stand little chance of surviving the winter. Most turtle nests are
only 6 inches or so deep in the ground. The frost will penetrate deeper than
that, most likely ending the turtles’
life cycle.
Snapping turtles were around during the time of dinosaurs
and have changed little in the ensuing 150 million years. They are among the
few creatures which can live in significantly polluted environments, even sewer
systems! *
How did snapping turtles get their name? Unlike other turtles
they are unable to fully draw their legs and head into their shells. Evolution
has given them strong jaws to
protect themselves if threatened; hence the name “ snapping” turtle. Yet snapping turtles are considered
docile creatures except during mating and egg laying season. Once the carapace
reaches 3 inches in length, there are few natural predators: hence the docile
nature.
If you see tiny turtles scrambling about, give them a lift
to the nearest body of water. All snapping turtles will be hibernating by
mid-October until next May, when the cycle begins anew.
* Graham TE, Perkins RW 1976 Growth of the common
snapping turtle, Chelydra s. serpentina, in a polluted marsh. Maryland
Herp. Soc. Bull. 12:123-125
By Zooey Zullo, Operations Director, Upper Valley Aquatic Center