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Young turtles leaving their nests due to warm weather

2014-11-13

It seems that warm weather in November brought some juvenile European pond turtles to the surface, as they started to emerge from their nests. On one known nesting site our colleagues had protected turtle nests from predators by installing wire nets. Last week we found that one of these nests was left empty by the juvenile turtles. Following removal of the wire net, we only found the egg-shell remains of the young turtles. In two similar nests we saw same hole in the middle, so we carefully digged the nests and found 18 juveniles, who already hatched and started to emerge by slowly climbing upwards. After measuring them we released all at the nearby water-body. As predators also notice the emerging turtles, this time of the year we may find fresh diggings or traces of freshly consumed eggs or turtles. If someone comes across similar observations, please share it by uploading it to the website!

Freshly hatched juvenile European pond turtles (Emys orbicularis)

(photo: Bálint Halpern)

Freshly hatched juvenile European pond turtles (Emys orbicularis) in their nest

(photo: Bálint Halpern)

Protected European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) nest

(photo: Bálint Halpern)

Freshly hatched juvenile European pond turtles (Emys orbicularis)

(photo: Bálint Halpern)

Egg shell remains of a European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) nest, after juveniles emerged

(photo: Bálint Halpern)

Freshly hatched juvenile European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis)

(photo: Bálint Halpern)

Freshly hatched juvenile European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis)

(photo: Bálint Halpern)

Freshly hatched juvenile European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) after reaching the water

(photo: Bálint Halpern)