What to Do If You Find a Turtle Nest in Your Yard, According to Wildlife Experts

 

While it may vary between species, summer is nesting season for many turtles—making it a prime time to come across a nest in your yard or garden. While you may be tempted to take a closer look or intervene in an attempt to help, the best course of action is to observe from a distance. Ahead, wildlife experts break down what to do if you find a turtle nest in your yard, when to contact a rehabilitation center, and how to make your yard safe for future guests.

• Nikki Sharp, U.S. executive director of Wildlife SOS, a conservation organization that rescues and rehabilitates wildlife, including turtles and other reptiles found in urban and residential areas
• Callie Klatt Golba, curator of turtle conservation at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum of the Chicago Academy of Sciences
• Katherine Sayler, southeast representative of field conservation at Defenders of Wildlife
• Peter Gros, veteran wildlife expert and co-host of Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild

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Signs You've Found a Turtle Nest

It is incredibly difficult, even for trained biologists, to locate turtle nests once adult females finish laying their eggs and return to their late-summer home range. This is because the females cover their eggs with dirt or sand after laying them, so it looks like bare ground, explains Callie Klatt Golba, curator of turtle conservation at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum of the Chicago Academy of Sciences.

"Turtles do not provide parental care after laying eggs, so finding the perfect nest site that is safe from predators is the mom turtle's only parental investment," Golba explains. "The most common situation when someone might find a turtle nest is when you see her digging the nest cavity, dropping eggs, or covering the nest."

For freshwater aquatic turtles, you may see tracks leading from a pond, river, or lake onto land and then back to the water. "Along the route, you may notice an area of disturbed soil where the female dug a nest and then carefully camouflaged it," says Nikki Sharp, U.S. executive director of Wildlife SOS. "For forest-dwelling species, fresh-dug soil, disturbed leaf litter, or small mounds can indicate a nest site." But even in these instances, turtle nests are hard to spot.

What to Do If You Find a Turtle Nest

Once the eggs are laid and the nest is carefully covered, the mother returns to the water, leaving the rest to nature. "Many turtles spend hours—and sometimes even days—searching for the right place to lay their eggs," says Peter Gros, veteran wildlife expert and co-host at Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild. "Some females may even make their way back to the areas where they hatched years earlier, a remarkable journey that speaks to just how important suitable nesting habitat can be."

Typically, the highest rates of nest predation are within the first 48 hours of nesting because predators are attracted to the turtle scent and disturbed soil. "There are a few options when you find a turtle nest on private property to help the nest survive this critical time," Golba says. "First, you always want to check local and state laws, especially if the turtle is an endangered species."

Identify the Visitor

If you encounter a turtle or tortoise, try to identify the species before taking any action. "Turtles and tortoises have very different habitats, behaviors, and care requirements, so what is appropriate for one may not be appropriate for another," Sharp says. "Sea and freshwater turtles differ considerably, as well. When in doubt, contact a local wildlife expert, herpetologist, wildlife rehabilitator, or fish and wildlife agency for guidance."

Leave It Alone

If you discover a turtle nest, avoid touching, moving, or rotating the eggs. "Reptile eggs are extremely sensitive, and even slight disturbances can harm developing embryos," Sharp says. "Temperature also plays a critical role in development and, for many species, can influence the sex of hatchlings."

Protect It from Predators

If predators are a concern, chicken wire, a wire-mesh nest protector, or even an upside-down laundry basket can help keep eggs safe while still allowing sunlight, rain, and eventually hatchlings to pass through. "Once the mother has finished nesting and left the area, place the mesh over the nest and secure it with stakes or landscape pins around the perimeter—taking care not to disturb the soil above the nest itself," Gros says. If you're concerned about accidental disturbances, mark the area to avoid mowing, digging, or foot traffic.

What Not to Do

One lesson wildlife teaches us time and again is that our role isn't to step in. "People mean well, but turtle eggs are best left where the mother placed them," Gros says. "What many people don't realize is that turtle eggs are surprisingly delicate. Even the slightest finger pressure can affect a developing embryo, which is why moving them is rarely recommended." 

Also, avoid digging around the nest or letting pets investigate, and resist the urge to uncover it for a quick look or photo. Most importantly, do not rotate or flip the eggs. "Unlike bird eggs, turtle embryos can become attached to the inside of the shell shortly after being laid," Sharp says. "Turning the eggs can detach or damage the developing embryo and significantly reduce the chances of successful hatching."

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Why Turtles Choose Residential Yards

Whether turtles nest in your yard largely depends on where you live, but they are common in developed areas, provided the habitat is right. "Homes near ponds, wetlands, lakes, or canals are more likely to attract nesting turtles," says Katherine Sayler, southeast representative of field conservation at Defenders of Wildlife. "When laying eggs, female turtles look for sunny, well-drained soil, and residential yards can provide ideal nesting conditions."

Depending on the species, turtles will travel variable distances to find this spot. "Fully aquatic turtles, like painted or snapping turtles, generally travel to an upland area close to their permanent aquatic habitat," Golba says. "Some turtles, like Blanding's turtles, can travel up to two miles to find their perfect nest sites."

Female turtles tend to begin their annual nesting journey in late spring and can continue well into summer, with many mothers traveling to nesting sites in May, June, and even July. "As activity picks up throughout the season, I suggest keeping a watchful eye on your yard—especially if you live near water," says Gros. "If you happen to find a turtle nest, consider it a reminder that wildlife is often closer than we think and count yourself lucky to witness one of nature's quieter moments unfolding in real time."

Signs the Eggs Are About to Hatch

Unlike birds and mammals, most turtle species provide no parental care. "After laying their eggs, females leave the nest and do not return," Sharp says. "Once incubation is complete, hatchlings emerge on their own and must instinctively find their way to nearby water or suitable habitat without assistance from their parents."

The time at which wild turtles emerge from their nests varies with many environmental and microhabitat conditions at the nest site. "Typically, it is around 85 days after the lay date, but can range from 60 to 120 days," Golba says. "Signs of emergence include actually seeing hatchlings and possibly a small emergence hole that is slightly larger than a quarter."

You usually do not see any eggshells outside the nest when the nest is successful, as the hatchlings will come out of their eggs and then climb out of the tiny hole. "If you see a bunch of scattered eggshells, this is usually a sign that a predator ate the nest," Golba says. "Once you see at least one hatchling emerge, all other hatchlings typically emerge the same day or the following day."

As for how to tell if the eggs are ready, there usually isn't a clear sign that hatching is imminent. "You may notice the soil above the nest becoming slightly sunken or disturbed," says Gros. "Hatchlings often emerge around the same time, so the ground can suddenly seem to ripple with movement as dozens of tiny turtles make their way to the surface."

When to Contact a Wildlife Expert

Most turtle nests don't need intervention or a wildlife expert. However, if the nest is at risk from construction, flooding, predators, pets, or other disturbances—or a turtle has been injured—it is a good idea to contact a wildlife professional for guidance. "State fish and wildlife agencies, local conservation organizations, nature centers, universities and zoos often have turtle biologists, herpetologists or wildlife rehabilitators who can provide advice specific to the species and location," says Sharp. 

How to Make Your Yard Safe for Turtles

Many turtle species are experiencing population declines, and simple actions can help give the next generation a chance to survive. Give nests space and avoid mowing over disturbed soils, drive slowly during nesting season (females often cross roads looking for nesting sites), and reduce pesticide and herbicide use on your property, says Sayler.

Turtle-friendly yards typically have fewer paved surfaces and more areas of loose, sandy, well-draining soil suitable for nesting. "Maintaining native vegetation and providing partially shaded areas can also help create attractive nesting habitat," says Sharp. "If you live near a pond, lake, river, or wetland, these practices can make your property a safer place for turtles to nest and raise the next generation."

Even a small patch of natural ground can provide an important habitat for turtles and other wildlife. "Another easy habit to work on is reducing outdoor lighting at night," Gros says. "These lights can confuse hatchlings as they begin to explore their surroundings and affect the natural cues needed to find their way. It's often the small changes that can make your yard a safer place for turtles and other native wildlife."

In addition, our experts recommend protecting turtles from predators by avoiding feeding wildlife, such as raccoons, and keeping cats indoors.