Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all,

I'm brand new (as in about 5 seconds, lol) to this board...I joined specifically because of something I've located in my yard that might be a possible Box Turtle nest. I've not actually seen the "mystery turtle", but I've found a caved-in, pinestraw-covered tunnel located at the base of a very large Nandina bush in my front yard. The nest appears to be about a foot deep, and I never would have noticed it, but for my two dogs nosing under the bush repeatedly about a month ago. My first instinct was to steer them away from the nest altogether, as I was afraid it was some sort of a snake's nest (shiver...I'm TERRIFIED of snakes!!!!), but they were pretty respectful of the area, no digging or pawing, just lots of sniffing. However, I was afraid I couldn't drag them away on leash quickly enough if a snake DID appear and strike at them (YIKES), but I was additionally afraid I'd have a large heart attack and die on the spot if something slithered over my ankle (ERRRGGGG).

As of yesterday, I've been informed by next door neighbors that a "very large" turtle has been seen walking down my driveway and in our adjoining backyards (empty, heavily forested land). I'm ELATED to think that this pinestraw-hidden cavern under my Nandina might be a turtle nest, I just need help in identifying it. If I can post figure out how to post a picture here (or email any of you directly), could I please request some assistance in identifying whether this is an actual nest, or just a really big sinkhole under the Nandina shrub? Lol. I'd LOVE to co-exist w/ a "large" (neighbors were unable to illucidate as to whether the term meant bigger or smaller than a bread box... )Box Turtle and would do anything suggested to protect it from predators, feed it and make it's life a little happier.

Thanks in advance for your help and advice!!

Jenn in N.C.

Welcome. As for it being a box turtle nest its description sounds like more a water turtle nest if anything. Box turtles cover their nest, unless they abandon it during the process. Also box turtle nest are about as wide as a tennis ball, and about 1.5 tennis balls deep. It could be a raided nest, or abandon nest of a large water turtle. Is there any dried eggshells around the hole? A foot deep seems too deep for a turtle..if you could post a pic I could help more, sorry not so helpful

Hi and thanks for your quick response...

Just spoke w/ the neighbors...their further description of the turtle sounds EXACTLY like what you're saying. They described the turtle as maybe larger circumference than a basketball, and a SHALLOW shell, not a domed shell like a Box. So, it sounds as if we had a wandering Snapper in search of a mate, although there isn't water other than about 5 miles from here. I've taken a few decent shots of the nest, so if I can figure out how to post a $@#?! picture I'll be delighted to! No shell remains outside the opening, although the size (if not depth) of the opening of the nest is about tennis ballized, for sure.

Thanks!!...
Jenn V. in NC

if you've already uploaded the pics onto your pc, you can go to the gallery part of this site (link is at the top of the page) and upload to there or you can go to photobucket.com and have them host it, both are free and easy to use.

if you go with this site when you post on a forum you can select the pic (to select the pic it should be listed in a box just above where it says "post message" ) .

to use photobucket.com you have to copy the [IMG] tage they give you under each pic and paste that in the text part of the post.
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