When do Painted turtles Hatch in Massachusettts?

Question

I live in Northeastern Massachusetts and noticed Painted turtles burying their eggs in the middle of June. There was also a Snapping turtle that layed her eggs in the same vicinity as the Painted turtles. I understand the gestation period for the Painted turtles is 6 weeks. I was expecting to see some evidence by now at the burial area for these eggs, but did not notice anything today, 8/21. I read that these turtles hatch in the soil but remain there until the Spring. Is this true? When can I expect these turtles to exit the ground? Will the turtles emerge at a certain time of the year? At a certain phase of the moon? During the evening hours or the daylight hours? The Painted turtles I observed laying their eggs were doing this during the middle of the afternoon in June. Thanks so much everyone. Peace, Jim

Answer 1

they mate in May thru June and eggs hatch in 80 to 90 days.  They do the mating dance alll the time. Total Body length: 5-8" average, up to 12 inches max. Life span: 15-25+ years

Males have the longer fore claws.. And are considered mature at 5 yrs old. You can start sexing at 3” across.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29035692@N0...

Did you know that they need to bask under a reptile light UVA for 8 to 10 hrs a day for the vitamin D that they need to grow. So that means getting a turtle dock also.

Leave the heater on 75 to 78 degrees always.

Their water needs to be clean otherwise they get sick easily from dirty water cause they p**p allot.

You need a good filter system! Gravel larger than they can swallow.

You need to feed them feeder guppies, goldfish or minnows for protein and calcium daily drop 20 or so in the tanks and watch them disappear! This way when they swim for their dinner they get exercise also!

TOSS in a bird cuttle bone in the water for calcium. it will dissolve real slow and if they eat it that’s fine!!

They can have garden worm, meal worms, crickets, flies, crayfish and  anything that moves!

They need leafy greens Romaine, Butter lettuce. (Iceberg and cabbage are bad for them, any other leafy greens will do) for vitamin A that they need at least 3 to 4 times a week.

You probably already know that they get sick easily, shell rot, respiratory sickness, lopsided swimming, coughing, blowing bubbles, Swollen cloudy eyes means lacking in Vitamin A. Which we all need for good eyes. Google ‘vegetables with Vitamin A.

I wish you luck.

Answer 2

In northern climates, painted turtles generally hatch in the fall, but remain underground until the following spring. I live in the north myself, and have excavated nests and found young turtles in both late fall and early spring. The turtles break free from the egg, but stay underground.

I have never seen a painted turtle hatchling in the fall here.