Snapping Turtles
Snapping Turtles like to dig their nests in the warm gravel next to roads. Here is one laying eggs beside West Road by the Alford Brook Club. You can see how her back legs have excavated a nest.
Wood Turtles
Here in Alford, Wood Turtles live in the banks of the Alford Brook and the Green River. They travel through the meadows by streams and are very hard to find in the tall grass. This one was about 100 feet from the Alford Brook on May 25. Wood Turtles reach maturity around eight years and can live over 80 years if they are lucky. Their biggest predators here in Alford are rotary mowers cutting hay and road crossings. They are “a species of concern” in Massachusetts.
If you spot a turtle trying to cross a road, move them across in the direction they are moving. They have a destination in mind. Do not bring them home or move them to a more “suitable” spot. They have territory and will only try to return if moved away from there.
And the next day…. Someone had eggs for dinner!