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turtle nesting

22 16:07:35

Question
I live on Lake Osborne in Lake Worth, Florida. A friend witnessed a turtle laying eggs on the bank, she dug a hole, layed the eggs, covered them and left. I don't think it soft shell turtle. How long do the eggs incubate? How can we protect them from dogs and people along the lake?

Answer
Hi Dorothy,

Incubation periods depend on the species and the environment.  Generally it would be somewhere between 2-4 months, but possibly longer.  If the nest is on public property, there isn't a lot you can do to protect it.  You could try fencing it off, but the fencing might be removed.  If the nest is well-disguised, it's probably best to leave it as is and just check on it regularly for signs of the eggs hatching.