10/14/2026
I’m obsessed with these tiny spotted turtle hatchlings. They are just so cool and personable, and their story is a perfect example of why it’s worth stopping to check turtles on the road.
In early June, a finder brought me a female spotted turtle who had suffered a horrible head injury after being hit by a car. Because reptiles can continue to exhibit reflexive movements after death, her legs were still periodically moving, and the finder wasn’t sure if she was still alive. Unfortunately, she wasn’t. But she had died recently enough that there was still a chance to save her eggs.
I was able to retrieve five eggs, which went into my incubator. Four were viable, and in August, these four little spotted turtles hatched!
Spotted turtles are a ‘Species of Greatest Conservation Need’ in Massachusetts. Although they are not on the state’s endangered species list anymore, their populations are declining. It’s estimated that their population has declined by over 50% in the last 25-30 years. Habitat loss, road mortality, and the illegal pet trade all contribute to this decline. Losing an adult female is especially significant for a species that doesn’t reach sexual maturity until 8-10 years old.
These four will spend the winter in my care rather than entering brumation (the reptile equivalent of hibernation). This approach, called headstarting, allows them to continue growing while their wild counterparts remain inactive in their nests or hibernaculums. The hope is that releasing them next year at a larger size will give them a better chance of surviving in the wild.
I’m sorry that the mom didn’t make it, but glad that her babies will have the opportunity to continue her legacy.
