Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Biology in the yard

This is one of our neighbors from the pond out back. She is a young mother snapping turtle. She made her way up into our yard looking for a place to lay her eggs. We caught her digging a hole in the grass along the edge of our driveway, right where we park the cars. We stopped her mid-dig and persuaded her to seek another spot. We tracked her across the front yard and around the big pine. After that, we weren't sure where she had gone. A week or so went by and we wondered from time to time where she might have layed her eggs. We talked about how a mother turtle buries her eggs and then leaves them. I was impressed at the way in which she used her hind legs and spiky tail to dig. Mr. Dub threw down a size 5 women's croc to get a perspective on her stature.
When she was feeling defensive, she stuck her neck out and puffed up her throat.
On the way to the school bus yesterday, the girls discovered her depository. Unfortunately, somone had discovered it before they did, and had eaten most of the eggs. Maybe a skunk?
We were sad. But at the same time, it was a fascinating glimpse into the world of the snapper.
The eggs ended up being layed about 100 yards down the driveway from the original dig.

7 comments:

Science Teacher Mommy said...

I LOVE this kind of stuff.

LL said...

SO COOL!!!

Joy said...

This is the kind of stuff my kids just LOVE!!!

shirlgirl said...

It's amazing that she laid them so close to humanity. You'd think she would have done it in the woods. Were any of them saved or were they all devoured?

Swimmingmom said...

Wow, those are amazing pics. How cool. Sad about the eggs though, but I suppose that's how it all works in nature. I sure am glad when I go have my baby I don't have to worry about anyone eating her up :-)

Jo Jo said...

Okay, we're all sad over here because those eggs didn't get covered up or protected a little more. Put the boy on it next year, and guard those valuables!

Marilyn said...

Wow, your house is like Disney World's Discovery Island.