Yesterday morning, as I went out to feed the chickens and goats, I found this lovely little snapping turtle laying her eggs in my garden. It was so exciting. I felt like Steve Irwin as I watched her ... "Have a look at this little Mum ... Isn't she goooorgeous?".
I watched her lay the eggs into a hole she must have been digging since sunrise, lay the little white eggs into the ground, then gently cover them back up with dirt using only her back legs. When she was through ... she unceremoniously turned and walked away. (See ya kids!)
However, all that reproduction stuff must have made her a bit dizzy ... as she thought she could take a shortcut back to our pond by tangling herself up in the goat fencing. I did my best to try to pull her away from the fencing (while also trying to keep all my digits) but she proved way too strong for me. I didn't want my goats to lose their noses with their insatiable curiousity ... so I had to spook her a bit back onto the right path.
She is now back in her pond and we have 100 days to wait until her little one-inch babes start crawling from out of the ground. Perhaps I will create my own little Crocodile Hunter episode on that day :) Meanwhile, I have already built a bit of a barrier around the eggs so that the dogs don't get them. The "Crocodile Hunter" would be so proud of me.
Looking forward to the birthday of about 2 dozen little finger biters ....
Love,
1 comment:
She is a beauty! Oh how I miss Steve. He was so animated....and dedicated to his work. Very inspiring. I can't wait to see these little babies...peeking their heads out of the hole. I hope you can capture their departure..... :)
Just wanted to let you know I found the book you recommended at my local library. I can't wait to read it.
Thank you for suggesting it.
Blessings,
Missy
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