Lisa's Lines

A large, grouchy old visitor recently greeted my family in the wee hours of a Monday morning.

My husband, John, was the first to notice the dark transient on our front steps and quickly called for me. Our daughters followed.

A giant snapping turtle (about 2 feet wide) was standing as tall as can be on all four legs stood at attention on our top step, overlooking our front yard. Its neck was stretched high and its alligator-like tail was trailing impressively behind him.

My family of four tiptoed out onto our front porch to get a better view of the mighty beast.

“Is that a dinosaur?!” four-year-old Ellen spouted, which caused the creature to swing its body around in one quick twist and glare at us. Even though we were at a safe distance and four big steps higher than its head... we all jumped.

Not all turtles are slow. Now, that my family lives on a lake, it’s a very important lesson for our girls to learn.

While John and I talked to our kids about the good, bad, and the ugly regarding snapping turtles, our large reptilian visitor began walking around our front yard.

“Mommy, his name is Snappy!” declared Ellen, who was thrilled to learn about a new resident creature. “He’s friends with Chowny (our large resident garter snake) and Toady (no explanation needed).”

John joked that we won’t need a guard dog with Snappy hanging out in our front yard. I was concerned that Snappy was heading toward the road, but just before I was going to walk up the road to regulate traffic... Snappy stopped. He stopped near our ditch culvert, backed up, and began to dig.

That’s when we discovered Snappy was really a Snapaleanna.

Snappy was laying eggs.

“Mommy? What is Snappy doing?!” Anna questioned.

So, instead of the birds-and-the-bees talk, we had the turtles and eggs talk that morning. We explained that GIRL turtles lay eggs to have babies and that those eggs were going to be buried by the end of our driveway.

We brought our cereal bowls and coffee cups out on the porch and watched nature at its finest in our front yard. Snapaleanna spent about two hours laying her eggs and then burying them. It really was fascinating to watch.

Ironically, John’s plan for the day was to install metal culvert apron things that prevent washouts, but Snapaleanna and her eggs postponed his plans. And, from what we’ve read, it might be late July or early August before the turtle eggs hatch and he can get the job done. Those snapping turtle eggs may very well delay the pouring of our driveway too (much to John’s displeasure)!

My girls are learning a lot about nature living at the lake. Ellen is quick to pick up every frog, toad, and snake she finds (except Chowny who is BIG)--and has been warned numerous times to stay away from snapping turtles.

Anna enjoys watching the eagles, herons, ducks, and geese and has become skilled at fishing--and taking fish off the hook!

The first time we filleted fish was an eye-opening experience for the girls. They knew we eat fish, but seeing just how the meat is harvested and where it comes from was a bit worrisome for them at first... I was concerned that they may never eat fish again. But, they came around and now get right in the bucket of guts and ask about the different organs and other parts of a fish. They’re interested, engaged, and appreciative of what they are seeing and feeling. And, they still love a good fish fry!

Here are a few snapping turtle facts from the MN DNR’s website:

During June, females travel to open areas that are suitable for nesting, and may travel 1 km (0.62 mi.) or more from water. Suitable nesting areas must be open and sunny and contain moist but well-drained sand or soil. Nesting areas are commonly sandy banks and fields, but also include gravel roads and lawns. The female uses her hind feet to dig out a cavity, and then lays 10-100 (usually 25-50) eggs, using her hind feet to guide them into the nest. The eggs are 2.2-3.2 cm (.87-1.25 in.) in diameter, white, and have a leathery shell. Once the eggs are laid, the female covers the nest with sand or soil and returns to water. Depending on the weather, the eggs will hatch in 50-125 days. Incubation temperature affects the sex of the hatchling turtles, with more females hatching during warmer temperatures, and more males hatching during cooler temperatures.

Hatchling turtles use their egg tooth and claws to break out of their shell, and then must dig their way out of the nest and find water. When they emerge, hatchlings are 2.5-3.2 cm (1-1.25 in.) in length. Young turtles are vulnerable to predation and desiccation. From any given clutch of eggs, 60%-100% of the young may be lost to predators.

NOTE: At least two mud/painted turtles have also laid eggs in our yard! It’s going to be an exciting turtle hatching season. I just hope my family will be home to see it!

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