SNAPPING TURTLE: Laying eggs and more (video)
June 02, 2008
Snapping turtles have been using my yard for years to lay their eggs.
This past year, my wife ripped out the front lawn and roto-tilled an area for a wild-flower garden, and the female snapping turtles think it's a great place to deposit eggs.
So far, at least five female snapping turtles have trashed sections of the would-be garden to lay their eggs by the dozen -- including one on Saturday morning and at least one Sunday.
I know what you may be thinking -- just what we need, more snapping turtles at the Celery Farm. In fact, almost all these eggs will become omelets for raccoons.
At the start of the video -- best played with the sound on -- the area is pristine. Then I cut to Mama Turtle and zoom in as she lays an egg. I show that again, and then a third time -- in slow motion.
Think of those televised lottery drawings, with Ping-Pong balls shooting out.
I also have footage of a weekend snapping turtle heading back to the Celery Farm.
The video is 2 minutes long, and action-packed -- as far as turtle videos go.
Don't be scared. Keep telling yourself: It's only a movie.
More on snapping turtles here.