All known turtle species reproduce in the same way, through eggs, but what can greatly differ from species to species is the number of eggs that they will lay, and where they will lay them. Some turtles will lay hundreds of eggs at once, so they will have to hide them in multiple places, or leave them in big piles, while other species will only lay a few eggs, and they will be able to hide them properly. In this article, we are going to take a quick look at how many eggs snapping turtles lay, and where exactly they lay their eggs.
Where do snapping turtles lay eggs? Snapping turtles usually lay between 15 and 50 eggs. They will usually lay their eggs in burrows, piles of leaves, nests, and other small hidden places.
So snapping turtles will lay their eggs in the safest places that they are able to find. But the number of eggs that a turtle will lay is usually the most important factor when choosing a safe place to lay the eggs. Because you can find the safest place on earth, but if it won’t be able to hold all your eggs, it won’t be that good. So let’s take a look at the number of eggs that a snapping turtle will lay, and see how this influences their choices when trying to find a good place to lay them.
Why Snapping Turtles Lay so Few Eggs
For e species to avoid extinction and remain at least constant in numbers, every couple needs to produce at least two other individuals that will reach adulthood, and that will also successfully reproduce. So basically every female snapping turtle needs to have at least 2 babies that will become adults. Of course, some female snapping turtles can have a lot more than 2, some can have 20 or even 50, but at the same time, a lot of them can have none.
Most baby turtles have a hard life, and unfortunately, most of them don’t reach adulthood. But compared to most baby turtles, snapping baby turtles are not exposed to so many dangers. And as a result snapping turtles started laying fewer eggs.
At first, this doesn’t seem like the best idea, after all, why would you have fewer babies if you want to have as many as possible. At this point, something different comes into play, and this something is strongly tied to “ quality over quantity “.
Snapping Turtle Eggs
A turtle egg is not only a shell that will protect the baby turtle until it’s fully developed, it also contains a lot of nutrients that will allow the baby turtle to develop. So if the egg is too small there won’t be enough nutrients inside to allow the embryo to fully develop.
Turtles will still rely on the nutrients of the egg even after they hatch, they will have a small yolk sack, from the egg, that is attached to their carapace that will feed them through their first weeks of life until they are able to find their own food. So even if the turtles have enough nutrients in the egg to develop is not enough, they will still need some more to be able to survive the first weeks.
In this photo, you can see the yolk sack ( the small white bag ) attached to the plastron of the turtle
On the other hand, if the eggs are too big, then it’s just wasteful. While the turtles will be able to hatch without any problem and they would be able to survive enough time to be able to procure their own food, the amount of space used by the eggs would be unnecessary.
Theoretically, there is a perfect egg size for every species, including snapping turtles, but it will take a lot of time for each species to get there. And the fact that their environment can drastically change from a generation to another, doesn’t really help them achieve that perfect quality and quantity ratio. Even if snapping turtles won’t be able to achieve the perfect ratio too soon, they are not necessarily too far away from it.
Now let’s talk a little about other factors that influence the number of eggs that snapping turtles lay.
How the Size of a Snapping Turtle Influences the Amount of Eggs That It Will Lay
I think this one is pretty obvious, but it’s still very important, so I believe that it still needs to be mentioned.
Until the eggs are laid they will be stored inside the female snapping turtle. So if a snapping turtle is smaller, it will be able to hold fewer eggs than a turtle that is bigger.
This is probably one of the most influential factors. Probably even more than the ones that I already mentioned. This is because the size of the snapping turtle can influence those factors as well. If the turtle had more space inside to hold the egg, it would be able to lay more eggs, of the exact same quality, or even of better quality.
No matter how you look at things, more space will always equal more eggs, or better quality eggs for the snapping turtle.
Do Snapping Turtles Take Care of Their Eggs After They Are Laid?
No, in general turtles don’t take care of their babies or their eggs. The reason why they don’t take care of them is a completely different subject, but in short, I can tell you that they wouldn’t be able to do too much to defend the eggs, and in the process, they will most definitely get eaten, and they will probably also attract attention to the eggs as well. So it’s better that they don’t stay around.
Even if snapping turtles don’t stay around and guard their eggs, they still do their best to protect them. And they do this by hiding them. They do this by laying eggs in a nest that is well hidden. Usually, nests are hidden under piles of leaves, in holes, in burrows, and all the kinds of places that are hard to reach.
In general, turtles survive by hiding and by making themselves hard to notice. And this is what they do to protect their eggs.
Here is a video of a snapping turtle laying eggs in a hole in the ground:
Do Snapping Turtles Lay Eggs Without Mating ?
Yes, female snapping turtles will lay eggs even if there is no male around to mate with them. Female turtles will lay eggs every year, even if they didn’t mate. The difference is that the eggs won’t be fertilized, so no baby turtles will come out of them.
Conclusion
I hope this article answered all the questions that you had about snapping turtles and eggs. If you have any more questions please don’t hesitate to ask them in the comment section. I will do my best to answer them as soon as possible.
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A large snapping turtle buried her eggs in my front yard yesterday! Any suggestions? I live on Cape Cod if that is of any relevance!
In my opinion the best thing that you can do is to leave them there, the snapping turtle thought your yard is a safe place to lay her eggs. When the eggs hatch they will quickly leave your yard, so they won’t mess up anything.
Thank you for your enjoyable and informative article.
We have a very large snapping turtle who comes on the property to lay her eggs every year. Normally she’s like a great tiller 4 my garden dragging her heavy body through the NC clay and amended soil on the road side where I grow wildflowers. I love ❤️ it when she appears.
This year she crawled up on our mulch pile and dug herself into it to lay them. I have been noticing an osprey regularly sitting in a tree not far from the ground/pile/house.
Is there any way to help the little ones when they hatch? If so, when will they be crawling out? I’m sure the osprey is waiting for them, as s/he has never behaved this way before. S/he does circle the property, and there is a pond here where maybe both beings inhabit.
Please advise. Thank you.
It’s great that you have a snapping turtle visiting your property for egg-laying, but it’s also important to be aware of potential threats like the osprey. Snapping turtle eggs are indeed vulnerable to various predators, including birds like ospreys. Here are some steps you can take to help protect the turtle eggs:
Fencing: You can create a simple fence or barrier around the nesting site to deter predators. Use a mesh or hardware cloth placed over the nesting area to protect the eggs. Make sure the mesh is supported and not in direct contact with the eggs, as this can affect the temperature regulation.
Reduce Attractants: Ensure there are no other attractants for the osprey in your area, such as open compost piles or easily accessible food sources.
Observation: Keep an eye on the nest. When the baby turtles start hatching, you can help by keeping watch and scaring away potential predators like the osprey. However, do not handle the hatchlings. Let them make their way to the water naturally.
Timing: The timing of the hatchlings varies but typically takes around 2 to 3 months, so they may emerge during late summer or early fall.
Educate: Educate your neighbors and community about the presence of snapping turtles and the importance of protecting their nests.
Wildlife Experts: You might consider contacting local wildlife experts or organizations for advice on how best to protect the turtle nest.
Natural Habitat: Creating or preserving natural habitats around your property can also be beneficial for wildlife. This might encourage the osprey to seek food sources elsewhere.
It’s crucial to strike a balance between conserving wildlife and protecting your interests. By taking these steps, you can help protect the snapping turtle nest from potential predators like the osprey while ensuring the hatchlings’ survival.
How long before the eggs hatch? Turtle is out there laying them right now.
The incubation period for turtle eggs can vary depending on the species of turtle, temperature, and other factors. In general, the incubation period for turtle eggs can range from several weeks to several months. Here are some general guidelines for different common turtle species:
Red-Eared Slider: The incubation period for red-eared slider eggs is typically around 60-80 days when incubated at temperatures between 82-86°F (28-30°C).
Painted Turtle: Painted turtle eggs usually take around 70-80 days to hatch when incubated at temperatures between 78-86°F (26-30°C).
Eastern Box Turtle: Eastern box turtle eggs can take anywhere from 50-75 days to hatch when incubated at temperatures between 75-85°F (24-29°C).
Snapping Turtle: Snapping turtle eggs may take longer to hatch, ranging from 70-90 days or more, depending on the incubation temperature.
Other Species: The incubation period for other turtle species may vary, so it’s essential to know the specific requirements for the species you are dealing with.
The temperature at which the eggs are incubated can significantly influence the time it takes for them to hatch. Generally, warmer temperatures tend to result in faster development, but too high temperatures can be detrimental.
If you want to know more precisely when the eggs might hatch, you would need to know the specific species and the temperature at which they are being incubated. If the turtle laid the eggs in a natural environment, the hatching time would depend on the local climate and temperature conditions.
It’s crucial to provide a safe and protected environment for the eggs, as they are vulnerable to predators, environmental conditions, and fluctuations in temperature. Many people incubate turtle eggs artificially to ensure a higher survival rate for the hatchlings. If you are interested in hatching the eggs and need guidance on artificial incubation, you can reach out to your local wildlife authorities or a herpetological organization for advice.