1 Million Turtles Community Conservation Program
Turtles
Why Turtles Need to Nest on Land?
During Spring, many turtles emerge from the water to lay their eggs. Their eggs are often eaten by predators like introduced foxes. It is a great opportunity to watch them in their natural environment. Below is some great info on what they are doing and why they are doing it. Download TurtleSAT Android iOS
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The Hole
For the eggs to survive and have a chance of hatching, turtles must lay their eggs in soil and sand. The hole is well constructed and open.
Eggs Breathe
As they are developing, the embryos breathe air through a membrane in the eggs, and so they cannot survive if they are continuously covered with water.
Finishing Up
Once the female is done, she will carefully place soil over the top of the hole and then pat it down by lifting up and thumping it with her plastron (the bottom of her shell). She will then leave and the hatchling will emerge several months later. In some species, they will remain underground for over a year.
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There is one turtles that nests underwater
Northern long-necked turtles create their nests underwater at the end of the wet season in northern Australia. Embryonic development remains arrested until floodwaters recede in the dry season and the ground dries. Hatchling emergence presumably coincides with heavy rain or flooding at the beginning of the following wet season.