Snapping turtle lays eggs in busy Dartmouth park, prompting conservation efforts
A female snapping turtle has decided to nest in a grassy field at Dartmouth's Shubie Park.
A snapping turtle has once again chosen a well-trodden part of Shubie Park in Dartmouth, N.S., to dig her nest – prompting staff and conservation officials to step in and protect the eggs.
The turtle was spotted earlier this week digging multiple holes in search of the perfect nesting spot. She eventually laid her eggs and made her way back to a nearby holding pond.
'There was a snapping turtle here on Wednesday,' said Jon Burns, tour guide at the Shubenacadie Canal Commission. 'It dug various different holes, buried the eggs in one, and then made its way over to the pond.'
It's not the first time the reptile has chosen the park. Burns said the same turtle nested in the area for the past two years.
'She's kind of become our little mascot,' said Burns.
Snapping turtles are considered a species of special concern in Nova Scotia. While not endangered, they are protected, and staff initially attempted to cordon off the nest area before realizing that a permit is required for any such barrier.
Officials from a local conservation organization have been contacted and are expected to put a perimeter in place to protect the nest and keep foot traffic at a distance.
'Usually they try to stay away from highly trafficked areas,' said Burns. 'So it's not super common for a turtle to nest here but this one seems to have something it likes.'
The turtle laid her eggs in late spring and staff said hatchlings aren't expected until the fall – sometime between 65 and 95 days from the time of nesting.
Visitors are encouraged to watch where they step and be mindful of signs of turtle activity, including disturbed soil and filled-in holes.
'There could be more nests in the area,' said Burns. 'They prefer shallow water with soft, muddy bottoms and this park has a lot of that.'
The Shubenacadie Canal Commission, which manages the area, said it hopes the site will remain undisturbed until the eggs hatch.
For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
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