BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Burlington Parks and Recreation is protecting a family of snapping turtles nesting at North Beach.
The department has placed bright orange netting around the nests to protect the eggs.
Officials said in a Facebook post that the eggs could hatch in the coming weeks, likely in the evening or overnight as temperatures cool.
Visitors are encouraged to view the nests from a distance. Some beachgoers said they were surprised to see snapping turtles at North Beach.
“I was like no way, there’s no way there’s turtles in Lake Champlain but now we know it’s turtles and it’s really important that we are respectful of this area, i think its really cool that its kind of guarded off a little bit and I can’t wait for them to hatch,” said Matej Teply, of Burlington.
Parks and Recreation says people should not pick up hatchlings if they spot one. People can help by keeping dogs leashed and shooing away seagulls.
Vermont Fish and Wildlife says female snapping turtles can lay up to 75 eggs at once. Parks and Recreation says the hatchlings will head straight for the water, but no one knows exactly when they will arrive.
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