MadSci Network: Zoology
Query:

Re: Are there any turtles that care for their young and not leave them?

Date: Mon Jun 4 16:26:57 2001
Posted By: Ruth Allard, Conservation Biologist, American Zoo and Aquarium Association
Area of science: Zoology
ID: 989864802.Zo
Message:

Hi Jeffery,

Good question.  Nearly everything I've read and all the personal 
experience I've had watching turtles indicates that no turtles care for 
their young after the eggs are laid.  However, I did find one reference 
that raised a bit of doubt.  The title of the following article made me 
wonder -- if there's a whole article about nesting and parental care, 
maybe this person found some evidence that mud turtle parent(s) do care 
for their young in some way.  See if you can find the article in a local 
library to learn more.

Iverson, J. B. (1990). "Nesting and parental care in the mud turtle, 
Kinosternon flavescens," Canadian Journal of Zoology 68:230-33. 

Meanwhile, I can safely say that no sea turtles care for their young.  
Once the mom comes up on the beach and very carefully digs her nest, she 
heads to the ocean and has nothing to do with the development of the 
hatchlings once they emerge from the nest.  All the freshwater turtles I 
am familiar with behave similarly.  Mom digs a nest, lays eggs, and heads 
out, leaving the little ones to fend for themselves.  

For lots more turtle information, visit 
http://www.enc hantedlearning.com/subjects/turtle/
Have fun watching turtles whenever you can, and keep asking questions. Ruth

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