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At least one box turtle has lived around my house since we built 12 yr ago. I see her every few weeks , usually when mowing . Three yr ago I saw her lay eggs; the next day the ants were running around the spot , so I dug up the 4 eggs. It took about 3 months then 3 hatched. One died in a couple days. After the 2 remaining were about 4 months old I gave them to my son who has had a turtle for about 20 yr. Unfortunately, the care he gave his adult did not work for the young and they died in a couple months.
I saw the turtle laying eggs again this spring ( it takes about 12 hr) and marked the area. Next time I will make a note on the calander . I just dug the area; looks like 3 egg shells , but one fully formed carapace that was completely empty. It was about 1" below the surface, I guess ants got it . Hopefully the other two got away.
I did see the female giving another box turtle a piggyback ride a month ago : maybe next year I can be a better foster parent.
I saw the turtle laying eggs again this spring ( it takes about 12 hr) and marked the area. Next time I will make a note on the calander . I just dug the area; looks like 3 egg shells , but one fully formed carapace that was completely empty. It was about 1" below the surface, I guess ants got it . Hopefully the other two got away.
I did see the female giving another box turtle a piggyback ride a month ago : maybe next year I can be a better foster parent.
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