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A Mother Turtle's Adventure



I hoped that I would see her again. After all it was only two days since I first saw her. Maybe she had moved off the trail, close to the water, where it would be safe.

The last time it was a little cloudy and not too hot. I had been running around the reservoir, plodding along at my usual pace, coming up on Mile 3. Near the mile-marker, I caught sight of a turtle just off the trail, busying itself in the dirt, with her body already submerged in a two inch hole. I slowed down, hoping not to frighten her. As I got closer I could see that she was digging with her back legs, throwing the dirt backward with her big webbed feet. I had seen this once before -- I knew that she was digging a nest!

The turtle was hard at work flinging dirt out of the hole; she did not seem to notice me at all. When a pregnant turtle is digging her nest and laying eggs, she will behave as if she is in a trance. Her focus is on the importance of her task, and she will ignore everything else around her.

My initial excitement changed to concern. She had picked a bad spot, so close to a well-traveled running/biking/walking trail. She and her eggs would be vulnerable. Runners or bikers could disturb her. Off-leash dogs or raccoons could hurt her. Sometimes when people notice wild turtles they capture them and try to keep them as pets. The trail seemed to cross right through the turtle's habitat. I decided to move her -- to guide her to a safer place.

I picked her up, interrupting her digging. She was medium-sized, only 6-7 inches long, but she was strong and angry! She didn't understand that I was only trying to help. I quickly put her down, pointing her in the direction of the woods, where she and her eggs would have a better chance.

Try as I might, I no longer can find the mother turtle I tried to help just days earlier. I guess that is good news -- I hope it means she found a safe hiding place to lay her eggs, hidden out of sight of people and animals. I also hope her eggs hatched safely, allowing the baby turtles their chance to live in the wild, and hopefully someday lay eggs of their own, continuing this wondrous cycle of nature.



Rich B.


Questions? Email me: rbergins@earthlink.net