Feature Article June 5, 2002
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It's a Snapper This is the time of year when you may see a large, ugly-looking turtle in a sandy area on the side of a road. We often say its a snapper, and it can snap, but the correct name is Snapping Turtle. Because of their propensity to snap or lunge at any provocation, we say they have a belligerent disposition, when actually they are only trying to protect themselves from danger. On land these slow-moving (except when snapping) creatures are at our mercy, and should be allowed to continue their activities.
That one on the side of the road, or crossing the road, will be a female, attempting to find a place to lay her eggs. Some time in late May, June or early July, she will leave the protective pond, marsh, ditch or other standing water. When she finds a sandy or soft piece of ground, so often on the side of a road (or on a suitable lawn), she will dig a hole with her hind legs as deeply as she can reach, and there lay from 20 to 40 round eggs. After this, she will cover them with soil and debris, and return to her water home.
The eggs will hatch some time in late summer or fall, with length of incubation depending on the summer temperatures. The young will dig out of the nest almost immediately if the weather is warm, but may actually over-winter in the nest if the weather is cool. Once they emerge, they will head for the nearest water. Life for the young turtle is dangerous - if the eggs survive. Raccoons and skunks are some of the most common hazards for the eggs. They find them very tasty and will dig out a nest, sometimes discovering them within a day of the eggs being laid.
Of the few nests that do survive, when the young emerge they must make a perilous journey to water, and many do not survive the trek. Once in water their chance for survival improves.
Snapping Turtles may grow shells up to 47 cm in length, and seem even larger because of their massive heads, and muscular necks and tails. If you find one on the road, please do not torment or kill it - instead, encourage it to move off the road. It is possible to pick up a snapping turtle if you hold it by the rear margins of the shell (So I am told - I have not done it!). Its long neck can reach only about one-third of the way back over its shell. But you must avoid its razor-sharp beak. Perhaps if offered a sturdy stick the turtle will grab on to it, and you can gently pull the creature to safety.
Remember the snappers taste for a wide variety of coarse, non-game fish and dead animals is a positive environmental benefit. Live and let live!
Sightings Reports- A Scarlet Tanager has been reported at Big Clear Lake.- Elsie Black, Canonto Road, Ompah, has 2 Indigo Buntings, 2 Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, 2 Baltimore Orioles, 4 Mourning Doves, and lots of American Goldfinches. Her hummingbirds also returned about May 6.- From McEvoy Lake, Terry Mullin says the area around Moosehorn Restaurant is active with birds - 2 Canada Geese have goslings as of May 9. There is a pair of Mallards, Wood Ducks, nesting Eastern Phoebes, Eastern Bluebirds, Indigo Bunting, about 10 American Goldfinches, and Red-winged Blackbirds, and American Robins.- Janet Aubin, Maberly, has been watching a Yellow Warbler nest outside her window. It now has 4 eggs, and we expect incubation will begin.
Thank you for the reports, please continue to phone me at 268-2518.
