That’s how long till the snapping turtle eggs hatch in Stewart Park. I was down at the boat ramp tonight and ran into Jim Robie, local sportsman. On his cell camera was a great picture of a snapping turtle laying eggs on this spot after digging a nest.
The female measured about 18 ” across as she filled the curl of the that rod you can see. So, underneath that mulch are about 30 eggs the size of ping pong balls. Not that we looked, I am assuming after reading about Snappers. It will be 9-18 weeks till they hatch. That depends on temperature too. I am sure that mulch heats up better than soil. Jim took the picture on Sunday last. He also saw activity here in front of the sculpture next to the new Liberty Elm.
You can see the disturbed ground to the left of the tree. So watch where you are walking down at Stewart Park.
Nice.
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Wildlife/Nongame/turtles/snapping_turtle.htm
Mike