The Nesting of Chelydra serpentina in Northern New York

The nesting of Chelydra serpentina was studied along the shore of an impounded riverine marsh in northern New York. Most nesting activity occurred during the first three weeks of June and was equally divided between morning and evening hours. Large females nested earlier in the season than did smaller ones. Clutch size averaged 30.9 eggs/clutch, supporting the belief that this species has larger clutches at higher latitudes. Snapping turtles usually nested in sparsely vegetated, thinly soiled clearings found in association with exposed outcroppings of Precambrian bedrock. Predators destroyed 94% of all nests under study.