General Care Discussion :: Dad found a clutch of eggs

[CApears4u2]

My folks have a HUGE pond on their private property and while my dad was doing some weeding last week, he accidentally uncovered a clutch of turtle eggs. He thought they would be too cold where they were - under a tree, no sun, etc. and thought about moving them so he quickly covered them up again and had to go to his truck. But when he came back he couldn't find them again. He is a great nature lover and would mean absolutely no harm but I was glad he couldn't find them and I told him he shouldn't move them... assuming I was right.

Our weather in No. Cal just started turning colder (practically overnight!)low 50's at night, 70's days and from here on it will get even cooler. So he was concerned that they wouldn't live or whatever. He has observed many water turtles in his pond but doesn't know what kind they are. I asked him next time he sees them to take a closer look and try to describe them to me.

Anyway, any thoughts ya'll?? I would think mama turtle knows what she's doin...

[Shinigami]

ANIMAL CRUELTY!!!
1st post :]
and do u think a mama turtle can climb a truck and grow 20 arms and pick up its eggs?

[CApears4u2]

Uh... Excuse me? Animal cruelty is an evil intent to purposely hurt, harm or kill an animal.

My dad may have been uninformed but he's certainly NOT into harming wildlife and had absolutely NO intention of doing so with these eggs. His intent - perhaps uninformed - was simply to move them out of the all-day shade to someplace warm. In his mind he wanted to do something good. YES I will educate him and there was NO harm done.

I was asking for thoughts and/or opinions from people on this board who have actual knowlege in these types of situations. I did NOT ask for an overreaction from someone with nothing else to do with their time.

[grey goose]

I read somewhere that females will search high and low for the perfect spot.....I'd just cover 'em and let mother nature do it's thing. Next spring, if you spot any basking turts, try to get a plc and post it here.....

[Andrew7769]

yea i don't know what you mean about the turtle mother either.....turtles lay their eggs and leave them to hatch there is no other mothering involved. Her dad was just trying to help and I'm sure he would feel bad if he knew this would compromise the eggs he sounds like a nice guy, don't jump to conclusions so quickly and adding a smiley face doesnt make it less of a hurtful comment

[Andrew7769]

yea sry got a little carried away in regards to the clutch of eggs, i have heard that if it is to cold the hatchlings will overwinter in the nest and emerge the following spring, so be on the lookout for baby turts when its starts warming up!

[CApears4u2]

Thank you Andrew and Grey Goose. I appreciate it. And I will keep my eyes open for any new hatchlings in the months to come!

[Boogerbutt02]

the following topic and website might help you guys understand turtle nesting better...

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewt ... ht=nesting

http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/Nestsites.htm

[steve]

ANIMAL CRUELTY!!!
1st post :]
and do u think a mama turtle can climb a truck and grow 20 arms and pick up its eggs?

This sort of post is unnecessary.

CApears4u2, if that female turtle is wild or has been established in the area, then there is nothing to worry about. You dad did have good intentions and it was best that he did not move them, unless he wanted to incubate them. Some people make protective guards for wild turtle eggs. But I share your opinion about finding that clutch again...