The Blanding's turtle is considered a threatened species here in Minnesota, and this was the first one I had ever seen. They live in wetlands, especially adjacent to running water, and nest in sparsely vegetated upland areas. Unfortunately, they seem to like roadsides for nesting. I'm guessing this one came from Bear Creek, which could mean she would cross the road when she is finished laying eggs. It is not a busy road, but I'm praying for her!
These eggs will probably hatch in August or September, and the young turtles will have a long journey to find a suitable wetland or Bear Creek to spend the winter. I marked the location on my phone, and I will be thinking about the mama turtle and her eggs every time I drive by.
7 comments:
Nice find. I'm sure I have all kinds of surprises in my woods too. Would you care to come down and give me a tour, open my eyes?
Deb, that is so neat! I'm glad you found her. Do you think Hasty is too heavily wooded for a Blanding's Turtle? Now I'm going to be looking carefullynat every turtle I see along the roads these days.
Two weeks ago I scooted a huge mama snapper from the middle of highway 73. In was happy to have a rake in the trunk.
She looks like a WWI soldier's helmet! So glad you got a good look. Let's hope for the babies.
How cool Deb! Sam and I have saved probably six or so box turtles in the road in the past weeks.
That is a cool find to be sure. I have never seen a Blanding's. Right now, here in NE Iowa, I'm finding turtle nests that have already hatched out. Congrats on the pic and thanks for sharing!
What a beauty.
Nice find and good luck to those eggs.
Check back there in two months.
... or do turtle eggs take longer in chilly MN?
Wow, that is really neat! I've never seen a Blandings either. But I have rescued a LOT of Painted turtles crossing roads.
Post a Comment