
Turtles are fascinating creatures that have existed for millions of years, and their breeding habits vary depending on their species. While some turtles, like the leatherback sea turtles, migrate long distances to lay their eggs on land, others, like the red-eared sliders, lay their eggs close to their habitat in rivers. Interestingly, the long-necked turtle of the Australian tropics is unique among turtles as it is the only known species to lay its eggs underwater. This unusual nesting behavior was discovered by Australian biologist Rod Kennett in the 1980s, and it highlights the importance of indigenous knowledge in understanding the natural world.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Turtle species that lay eggs underwater | Long-necked turtle of the Australian tropics |
Number of turtle species that lay eggs underwater | 1 |
How long can turtle eggs survive underwater? | Not for long; they will drown |
What You'll Learn
- The long-necked turtle of the Australian tropics lays its eggs underwater
- Leatherback sea turtles migrate thousands of miles to lay eggs on land
- Red-eared sliders lay eggs near water and don't watch over them
- Box turtles live and lay eggs entirely on land in forests or marshlands
- Turtles will lay eggs in water if no nesting site is provided
The long-necked turtle of the Australian tropics lays its eggs underwater
The long-necked turtle, or eastern long-necked turtle, is native to southeastern Australia, ranging from the Wilton River to the Murray River, and the entire Murray-Darling Basin. It is a semi-aquatic species, spending time in the water and on land. It is a side-necked turtle, meaning it bends its head sideways into its shell rather than pulling it directly back. Its shell is light brown to black, and its underside is cream to yellow. Its neck is long and narrow, reaching a length of approximately 60% of the length of its shell.
The long-necked turtle is the only turtle in the world known to lay its eggs underwater. This behaviour was discovered by Australian biologist Rod Kennett in the 1980s, though it had been known for centuries to the Aboriginal people of the region. Kennett used radiotelemetry to locate the nesting sites, placing transmitters inside the oviducts of female long-necked turtles carrying eggs. He discovered that the turtles deposited their eggs underwater, and that the eggs hatch after the waters of the billabong recede during the dry season.
The nesting season for long-necked turtles takes place in late spring or early summer. Females are more active during this time, searching for the best nesting site. They dig nests near the water where they lay their eggs, typically in the banks of their aquatic habitats. They may lay up to three clutches of eight to 24 eggs per year, with an incubation period of 120 to 150 days. The hatchlings break out of their shells three to five months after being laid, and are often preyed upon by fish and birds.
The long-necked turtle is a carnivore, feeding on a variety of aquatic species including tadpoles, small fish, insects, worms, crustaceans, molluscs, and plankton. It can live into its 30s and is considered a relatively common species.
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Leatherback sea turtles migrate thousands of miles to lay eggs on land
Leatherback sea turtles are the largest turtles in the world, weighing up to 2,000 pounds and reaching lengths of up to 7 feet. They are named for their tough, rubbery skin and lack of scales and a hard shell. These turtles are highly migratory, swimming over 10,000 miles a year between nesting and foraging grounds. They are also strong divers, reaching depths of up to 4,000 feet—deeper than any other turtle.
Leatherback sea turtles undertake the longest migrations of any sea turtle, travelling up to 3,700 miles from their feeding grounds to the shore where they lay their eggs. Female leatherbacks return to nest on the same shore where they were born, navigating to their natal beaches using a number of clues, including ocean currents, the Earth's magnetic field, and water chemistry. This remains a mystery to researchers.
Leatherback sea turtles mate at sea, but females must leave the water to lay their eggs on land. Once a female leatherback reaches her nesting site, she uses her strong back flippers to dig a shallow nest in the sand, where she deposits between 75 and 100 eggs. She then covers the eggs with sand and returns to the sea. The eggs hatch around 45 days later.
Leatherback sea turtles are among the most highly migratory animals on Earth, travelling between foraging grounds in search of jellyfish. In the Atlantic, they migrate from Caribbean beaches up the US East Coast to Canada. In the Pacific, they migrate from Southeast Asia to California and then up to Alaska.
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Red-eared sliders lay eggs near water and don't watch over them
Red-eared sliders are semi-aquatic turtles, native to freshwater streams and rivers. They are commonly found in the Midwestern United States and parts of the South, and are one of the most popular pet reptiles in North America.
Female red-eared sliders mate annually between March and July. Unlike sea turtles, they do not return to a particular spot to lay their eggs. Instead, they search for a suitable place that is hidden from predators. They typically lay their eggs close to where they live and eat.
Red-eared sliders dig a nest in the sand and deposit between two and 30 eggs. They do not watch over their eggs like some other egg-laying animals, such as birds. Instead, the females return to the river, leaving the eggs to hatch on their own after about two months.
It is important to note that female red-eared sliders require special care when they are gravid (pregnant) and laying. While laying eggs is essential for maintaining a healthy reproductive system, it is also physically demanding for the turtles. Therefore, it is crucial to provide them with extra food and calcium to compensate for the nutrients lost during egg formation.
Box turtles live and lay eggs entirely on land in forests or marshlands
Box turtles are interesting creatures that carry their homes on their backs in the form of a shell. Unlike other turtles, they live entirely on land and are mostly found in the Eastern United States. They prefer to live in moist areas such as marshlands and forests that receive frequent rainfall.
Box turtles are part of the "pond turtle" families, specifically the family Emydidae. They cannot swim and will drown in deep water. However, they often soak themselves in shallow puddles for days at a time.
Female box turtles need loose, well-drained but moist, sandy or loamy soil in direct sunlight to lay their eggs. They dig nests and bury their eggs, and each mother lays several clutches, containing an average of five eggs each. The eggs hatch from 70 to 120 days later, depending on air and soil temperatures.
The female box turtles mate from around April to around October and then hibernate from around October or November to April. They lay their eggs from May through July. The eastern box turtle subspecies live in temperate open woodlands, preferring habitats such as marshes, meadows, and pastures. They must always be near a freshwater source, such as a swamp, pond, or stream.
Box turtles are slow diggers, so creating a nest can take around six hours. They are also very particular about the position of their eggs. If the eggs are disturbed and rotated, the embryos will die.
Box turtles are mostly terrestrial turtles, and their eggs need to stay in the position they were deposited in the nest. The eggs will hatch in about two months, but sometimes the baby turtles will remain in the nest through the winter and emerge in the spring. This is more common in more northerly climates but can also happen in the southern range.
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Turtles will lay eggs in water if no nesting site is provided
Turtles are fascinating creatures that have existed for millions of years, adapting to a wide range of environments. Their breeding habits, however, vary greatly depending on their species. While some turtles, like the leatherback sea turtles, migrate thousands of miles to lay their eggs on the shore where they were born, others, like the red-eared sliders, lay their eggs close to their habitat in rivers.
Now, what happens if these turtles do not have access to a suitable nesting site? Can turtles lay eggs in water if no nesting site is provided? The answer is yes, but it is not an ideal situation for the turtles and can even be harmful to their health.
If a female turtle is unable to find a suitable nesting site, she may end up laying her eggs directly in the water. This is often seen as a last resort, as turtles typically prefer to lay their eggs on land or in a specific type of substrate. In the case of aquatic turtles, it is crucial to provide them with a nesting area to avoid serious health complications.
When a turtle lays eggs in water due to the absence of a nesting site, there are several potential issues that can arise. Firstly, the eggs may not be viable and will likely drown if they remain submerged for an extended period. Additionally, female turtles that are unable to find a suitable nesting site may lay their eggs one or two at a time over a period of weeks, or they may retain all the eggs instead of depositing them in the water. This can lead to a condition called egg-binding or dystocia, which can cause serious illnesses such as egg-yolk peritonitis, and even death if left untreated.
Therefore, it is essential to provide aquatic turtles with a suitable nesting area that mimics their natural habitat as closely as possible. This can be achieved by offering a variety of substrates, such as sand, organic compost, or leaf litter, and ensuring that the area is well-drained yet slightly moist. By creating an appropriate nesting site, we can reduce the risk of health complications and make the egg-laying process less stressful for the turtles.
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Frequently asked questions
Most turtles don't lay eggs in water. However, the long-necked turtle of the Australian tropics is the only turtle in the world known to lay its eggs under water.
Where turtles lay their eggs depends on their species. For example, leatherback sea turtles migrate thousands of miles to lay their eggs on land. Red-eared sliders lay their eggs in rivers, while box turtles lay their eggs in moist soil in forests or marshlands.
If a turtle is not provided with a nesting site, it may lay its eggs directly in the water, but this is dangerous for the turtle and can lead to serious illness or death.