Big thunderstorms in Erie County, PA Wednesday evening into Thursday. Not sure if it was the rain or just a coincidence, but there was an amazing Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) out in the open in a patch of sidewalk-adjacent grass in Millcreek Twp (“Gateway to Presque Isle”). Seen digging in the dirt, but couldn’t tell if it was for laying eggs, foraging, or some other purpose.
question for the naturalist: is it laying eggs? It certainly has made a big hole. But would it do that in the open?
Unsure about Snapping Turtles. However, some of the pond turtle species at Presque Isle State Park will walk a fair distance to a nearby sandy area and bury their eggs out in the open, yes. Seen it numerous times right along the Gull Point Trail. Most noticeable, in fact, when either the baby turtles hatch, leaving an open hole w/ egg remnants, or, presumably, a predator digs open the nest to eat the eggs. (Same effect: an open nest with egg remnants.)