Snapper Eggs Hatching

[Anthony P]

Hello everyone,

On June 8th, I got a call from a friend of mine that he saw a female Common Snapper depositing her eggs in a nest she dug right smack dab in the middle of a busy ATV/dirt bike track. He asked if I'd be willing to come and get the eggs. I happened to have plenty of incubator space so I decided to go give them a shot.

Turned out there were 32 eggs in the nest, 30 of which started development.

Tonight, the first two have begun hatching.

This is still legal here in CT, but probably not for long. The DEEP is seeking to outlaw the commercial harvest of Chelydra serpentina, including any collection of eggs.

Thanks for looking. Of course, there will be a YouTube video on this soon

 

[mike taylor]

Man,thats awesome. I have been waiting to see the outcome of this. The only thing better will be the video of you letting the go .

Sent from my C771 using TortForum mobile app

 

[Jabuticaba]

Very cool, Anthony! Thanks for sharing and good luck with the rest of the clutch.


May[CHERRY BLOSSOM], Hermann's [TURTLE][TURTLE] & Aussie [DOG FACE][DOG FACE][DOG FACE] (@YWG)

 

[wellington]

So glad you were able to save them from a sure death. Can't wait to see the release. Are you releasing them?

 

[Greg T]

Can't wait to see pics. Those guys are cute babies but total monsters when they get big!

 

[Anthony P]

Thanks guys,

Yes, I will be releasing them as soon as they hatch. I won't even try feeding them first, just in hopes of keeping things as natural as I can.

I'll be going right back to where they were collected, too, to the nearest body of water.