![]() ![]() These additions keep predators from tunneling or digging toward their prey. We are indebted to Carol Hall, Minnesota Biological Survey herpetologist, for helping us through the entire process from site selection to installation.īoards frame the perimeter underground while landscape fabric and chicken wire extend out from the fence. The enclosure looks a little like a wire fence you might use to keep deer out of your vegetable garden. To these mammals and other predators, turtle eggs are an easy, protein-filled snack. The enclosure structure we built allows turtles and sunlight in, but keeps out racoons, foxes, coyotes, possums and otters. Turtles in, predators outĪ few of the predators our wildlife cameras have captured in the area, clockwise from top left: raccoon, otters, red fox and coyote. In 2017 the site was strewn with broken eggshells. However, the area is also highly trafficked by turtle predators. And its sandy soils are ideal for a turtle to dig into for her nest. An open clearing makes this spot easily visible to passing turtles. The site is located on a peninsula that juts into the Mississippi River. Historically, turtle nests have abounded there. ![]() Last May, just before turtle nesting season began, we finished installing this protective enclosure at Spring Lake Islands Wildlife Management Area near Rosemount. A haven for turtles (and for turtle predators) Photos taken by our wildlife cameras show hatchlings tunneling up from their nest and heading out in search of their first meals in the slow-moving backwaters around the Spring Lake Islands. We finally have photographic evidence of baby snapping turtles hatching in peace thanks to our new wildlife nest enclosure. ![]()
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