You’d think turtle siblings would resemble each other, in size, color, behavior, etc. That’s not always the case. Here’s a quick look at some diamondback terrapins that were hatched from the same clutch of eggs (the mother unfortunately was deceased but we were able to save the eggs and some of them were viable and hatched out). Because of when they hatched, they had to be overwintered in care, and when they were released in the spring, these siblings who started out looking nearly identical couldn’t be more different.
Here they are in the beginning, all weighing around 4 to 6 grams or .14 to .21 ounces.
Seven months later, all receiving the same quality of care, and look how different they’ve become. Even from the start, you can tell that some of their patterns are bolder than others, some colors more muted.
These guys hatched a bit too late to release before it got too cold, so overwintering was the best thing for them. They may have each gotten a little bit of an incidental head start over their wild-incubated cousins, as hatchling mortality is very high. When these ones got out into the world, even the smallest ones were still bigger than they started. They still have a tough road ahead, but they’re somewhat bigger than bite-sized, and they at least have a chance at survival, which would not be the case if someone hadn’t stopped to help the mama turtle that had gotten hit by a car on her way to lay eggs.
My turtle buddies, John and Bruce, who run a terrapin nesting conservation project came with me for the release of these guys, and John put together this little video.
Turtle Haven 