Some turtles lay eggs in the spring and the baby turtles stay in the eggs all winter and don’t hatch until the next year!
This is common for Northern Map turtles, but the nest environment plays a big role. Usually, nests that turtles overwinter in successfully are made in gravel or soil which allow the eggs to keep warm.
Last year, researchers found the first reported occurrence of Northern Map Turtle hatchlings successfully overwintering in sand in Canada.