I have found some eggs in our yard and I need help identifying them. Bird, Snake, Turtle ?

Question

NE Missouri, Out in the country, I was mowing some fescue and clover and found 19 white eggs in a grass nest down next to the ground. They are about 1.5 inches, solid white, and arranged in a circle. I have watched the area for a couple of days and have seen nothing all though something came along and laid three more eggs about 6 inches from the original group. The eggs are crunchy like a christmas ornament. Any help would be appreciated. I am not aware of any bird that would lay so many eggs. I also am not aware of a turtle that lays eggs not buried in the ground, nor am I aware of a snake that makes a nest, and arranges the eggs, and I though all the egg laying snakes laid a whole lot more. Any help, suggestions, knowledge, or websites appreciated.

Thank you

Answer 1

well isnt it obvious? easter eggs.

Answer 2

I would say, Turtle... or dinosaur

Answer 3

If it was under the fescue, then it was a snake.  Reptiles use compost and other rotting materials to keep their eggs warm.

Answer 4

Check with your local Missouri dept. of conservation office - they have a website you can google to.

Answer 5

Typically turtle eggs are circular, so I am guessing that can be eliminated, as you didn't mention this.  

Now, the highest recorded nesting of a bird is that of the Grey Partridge, of 17 eggs, judging by the numbers it is likely a nesting ground if they are bird eggs.

Snake eggs... a little hard, although the texture would definately help in determining exactly which snake/bird, like rough/chalky, shiny, pitted, or oily.

I did a search for "Missouri wildlife" and found myself at this page, the litter size looks perfect, and they are known live right in you neck of the woods, however is likely a different species of gartner snake, as this paticular one doesn't lay eggs, many do.

http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/Reso...

Answer 6

reptile eggs ,like Iguana ,turtle ,snake crocodile are all soft and leathery ,

hard shell eggs are birds .

Answer 7

They are snake eggs. You got to be careful, as snakes are very aggressive during breeding season.

Answer 8

they're for sure not reptile eggs

well do you have any ponds around maybe a ducks egg

or if theres no water around maybe they are wild geese

or some kind of ground bird

Check with your local Missouri dept. of conservation office

im sure they will know

pls do not touch the eggs or the parents will not come back

Answer 9

put them under a lamp u may be able to judge from the young inside

Answer 10

I'm almost sure it's a ground bird, possibly a plover or maybe even a burrowing Owl, if you have them, especially in high  grass. Many birds lay several clutches at once, and you might even have a nesting area. If I were you, I'd replace the eggs, set up several motion-activated cameras (Avaliable at hunting stores) and wait a couple of days. (They might take that long to come back)

Snakes don't make nests.

Answer 11

They could be cow or goat eggs. A cow lays 2 eggs on my doorstep every morning.

Answer 12

i am in the mid eastern part of missouri, most snakes i know of , the eggs are of a leathery texture, turtles bury them from what i know of, it is possible to be a quail nest... have you seen any quail in the area, they may not take flight as the prefer on ground habitat and are masters of hiding and evading. ( http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/Infocenter/... ) is a sight that has info on them including a few pictures. they are also noted to be heavily populated in the NE of missouri.