Yesterday,
this Snapping Turtle was observed digging a nest in the gravel at the edge of a
pathway.
According to observers, she laid upwards of 25 eggs and then covered
them up (see photograph).
Incubation
time is temperature-dependent, ranging from 9 to 18 weeks. The
sex of the offspring is also temperature dependent.
Ontario
added them to the “Species
at Risk” list in 2009 and their status is currently a species of “Special
Concern”.
The Snapping Turtle is Canada’s largest freshwater
turtle, reaching an average length of 20-36 cm and a weight of 4.5-16.0 kg.
Snapping turtles have large black, olive or brown shells typically covered in
algae. Their tails, which can be longer than their bodies, have “dinosaur-like”
triangular crests along their length. Hatchlings are about the size of a loonie
and are smaller and darker than adults, with pronounced ridges along the length
of their shell.
They spend
most of their lives in water. They prefer shallow waters so they can hide under
the soft mud and leaf litter, with only their noses exposed to the surface to
breathe
It takes 15 to 20 years for a Snapping Turtle to
reach maturity. They are believed to live well over 100 years. As a result, adult mortality greatly affects
the species’ survival. During the summer, many turtles cross roads in search of
mates, food and nest sites. This is risky for turtles as they are too slow to
get out of the way of moving vehicles. Snapping turtles are also sometimes
intentionally persecuted. Eggs in nests around urban and agricultural areas are
subject to predators such as raccoons and striped skunks.
No comments:
Post a Comment