Vernon Animal Control Says Be On The Lookout For Snapping Turtles

VERNON, CT — Vernon officials have sent out a warning about active snapping turtles in town.

It's that time of year, they said.

Snapping Turtles are out laying eggs, animal control officials said. The division has had several calls recently about them.

"Please leave them alone ... Keep animals and children away from them," animal control officials said.

Snapping turtles are widespread in Connecticut, according to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Their ability to adapt to people and "the state's changing landscape has made them evolutionarily successful," DEEP officials added.

Snapping turtles can even be found in polluted waters and urban wetlands, although populations in these habitats may not be robust, DEEP officials said.

The turtles leave the water to lay eggs and that takes place in May or June, DEEP officials said. With powerful hind legs, the female digs a shallow bowl-shaped nest in a well-drained, sunny location and over a period of several hours, she lays approximately 20 to 40 white, ping-pong ball-sized eggs, DEEP officials said.

After covering the eggs, the female returns to the water, leaving the eggs and hatchlings to fend for themselves, DEEP officials said.