Hydric Conditions During Incubation Influence Locomotor Performance of Hatchling Snapping Turtles

Abstract

Locomotor performance of hatchling snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) was assessed while turtles were running on land and swimming in water. Hatchlings from eggs incubated on a relatively wet substrate were faster than hatchlings from eggs incubated on a drier medium, both in absolute distance and in body lengths moved per unit time. The superior performance of turtles from the wet substrate was not due to differences in hydration of tissues, because differences in performance persisted after turtles from both groups had been fully hydrated. The superior performance of turtles from the wet substrate may stem from a greater aerobic capacity, because these animals accumulated lactate more slowly during locomotion than did turtles from eggs incubated on the dry substrate. These observations may provide a physiological basis for the improved survival of larger hatchlings of many species of reptiles.