Snapping Turtle Hatchlings

These were found in the summer of 2000, but thought they would still be fun to see.  While putting in our kayaks at Hitchens Pond, my daughter and friend noticed the ground begin to erupt.  

Out popped dozens of baby snapping turtles who made a panic-like sprint (if turtles can sprint) toward the water.  Some did some wild tumbling down the bank.  You can see from the size of the one in her hands their relative size at hatching time.  

Mom turtles get pretty big.  Take a look at the photo of the female laying eggs we photographed this year.  She looked like she weighed a mean 25-30 lbs.

Even though these eggs had incubated right in the middle of a portage trail, they all seemed to hatch.  The last shot shows one little tike taking his/her first swim.

SUBMITTED BY:
rick@adkscience.org

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