I found an alligator snapping turtle nest the hatchlings have a sack comming out of their bellies.?

Question

is this normal? one egg is unhatched but there is movement. does any one know?

Answer 1

Most eggs will hatch all at once, but sometimes some will lag even days behind. The sacks are yolk sacks which will eventually be absorbed. Some absorb them before they hatch. This is perfectly normal and the lagger will probably hatch if it's moving around in there.

Answer 2

The sac is the egg yolk. The babies will feed off this for a couple weeks. Usually they remain safely in the nest during this time. They often stay in the nest until all are hatched, and can 'charge' the water at one time.

Please leave them as undisturbed as possible so predators leave them alone.