Help...Something laid an egg in my mulch! UPDATE: It's a Duck!

[solferino]

do any of these look familiar?

http://www.strombergschickens.com/images/stock/egg-sample.jpg

 

[Southern4sure]

Don't be ridiculous everyone knows the Easter Bunny is a boy

uh huh, you keep thinking that.

 

[Cantw8]

THis was on a penn. fishing and boat site:

http://www.fish.state.pa.us/faqampr.htm



. I found some white oblong eggs around one to two inches in length in some mulch around the house. What will hatch from them and when?
The eggs are probably those of a black rat snake, northern black racer or maybe an eastern milk snake. These species lay their eggs in mulch, sawdust piles or decaying vegetation where the decaying activity provides sufficient heat to incubate the eggs. Eggs may be laid during June or July and will hatch in six to eight weeks.
Once these eggs are laid, they should not be moved. Moving the eggs from their original orientation will affect their ability to hatch. Also, it is illegal to purposely damage or disrupt the nest or eggs of a reptile in PA. (Link to herp regs). The intent of the regulation is to aid in the reproductive success of PA’s native reptiles. These species are nonvenomous and are important rodent predators.

Oh, Hell no. If I see that in my mulch it is sooooo out of here

 

[famofsix]

Oh, Hell no. If I see that in my mulch it is sooooo out of here

I am with you!

 

[sugarpie]

Clearly you have been visited by the unicorn stork.

 

[minnieandme]

THis was on a penn. fishing and boat site:

http://www.fish.state.pa.us/faqampr.htm



. I found some white oblong eggs around one to two inches in length in some mulch around the house. What will hatch from them and when?
The eggs are probably those of a black rat snake, northern black racer or maybe an eastern milk snake. These species lay their eggs in mulch, sawdust piles or decaying vegetation where the decaying activity provides sufficient heat to incubate the eggs. Eggs may be laid during June or July and will hatch in six to eight weeks.
Once these eggs are laid, they should not be moved. Moving the eggs from their original orientation will affect their ability to hatch. Also, it is illegal to purposely damage or disrupt the nest or eggs of a reptile in PA. (Link to herp regs). The intent of the regulation is to aid in the reproductive success of PA’s native reptiles. These species are nonvenomous and are important rodent predators.

Knowing me, I'd have to crack it open to see what's inside.

 

[agnes!]

Don't snakes & turtles usually lay multiple eggs? Also, turtles eggs' are usually very translucent, and a somewhat softer shell than birds' eggs.
I have just GOT to subscribe to this, I'll never be able to find it with search and I want to see the pics.

The eggs aren't white like the snake eggs mentioned in the Pennsylvania Fishing/Boating site, though. They're yellowish/translucent-looking.

agnes!

 

[DwarfMaster]

THis was on a penn. fishing and boat site:

http://www.fish.state.pa.us/faqampr.htm



. I found some white oblong eggs around one to two inches in length in some mulch around the house. What will hatch from them and when?
The eggs are probably those of a black rat snake, northern black racer or maybe an eastern milk snake. These species lay their eggs in mulch, sawdust piles or decaying vegetation where the decaying activity provides sufficient heat to incubate the eggs. Eggs may be laid during June or July and will hatch in six to eight weeks.
Once these eggs are laid, they should not be moved. Moving the eggs from their original orientation will affect their ability to hatch. Also, it is illegal to purposely damage or disrupt the nest or eggs of a reptile in PA. (Link to herp regs). The intent of the regulation is to aid in the reproductive success of PA’s native reptiles. These species are nonvenomous and are important rodent predators.

Thanks...But I was hoping this is what you were referring to.

During May and June, snapping turtles leave the lakes, rivers and wetlands and go onto land in search of suitable locations to lay their eggs. Railroad grades, roadsides, sand traps at golf courses, and mulched flower beds are all places where nesting may occur.

Like I said...If it's a snake. I'm MOVING!

 

[DwarfMaster]

Knowing me, I'd have to crack it open to see what's inside.

EEWWWWWWWW

 

[Southern4sure]

THis was on a penn. fishing and boat site:

http://www.fish.state.pa.us/faqampr.htm



. I found some white oblong eggs around one to two inches in length in some mulch around the house. What will hatch from them and when?
The eggs are probably those of a black rat snake, northern black racer or maybe an eastern milk snake. These species lay their eggs in mulch, sawdust piles or decaying vegetation where the decaying activity provides sufficient heat to incubate the eggs. Eggs may be laid during June or July and will hatch in six to eight weeks.
Once these eggs are laid, they should not be moved. Moving the eggs from their original orientation will affect their ability to hatch. Also, it is illegal to purposely damage or disrupt the nest or eggs of a reptile in PA. (Link to herp regs). The intent of the regulation is to aid in the reproductive success of PA’s native reptiles. These species are nonvenomous and are important rodent predators.

Now that I know the egg could possible be a snake it is not cute anymore.

 

[Maleficent13]

Clearly you have been visited by the unicorn stork.

That's a pterippus, not a unicorn. Just sayin'.

 

[DwarfMaster]

do any of these look familiar?

http://www.strombergschickens.com/images/stock/egg-sample.jpg

Hmm..It looks like the duck one, but more the size of the goose.
I guess maybe it could be a duck or goose. I've never seen any in my yard but there is a pond a couple streets down....maybe it migrated up the road???

 

[tnkr mom]

I've got to know what it is too! I'm sssooooo afraid of snakes after finding a 4ft one here at our house I couldn't even imagine!!! But at our school a cute duck has built her nest under the play set (so of course the science teacher has roped it off and the kids cant use it until they hatch, I'm hoping for something cute and fuzzy for you!!! Let us know~!!!

Hmm..It looks like the duck one, but more the size of the goose.
I guess maybe it could be a duck or goose. I've never seen any in my yard but there is a pond a couple streets down....maybe it migrated up the road???

 

[famofsix]

Well now that a pond it nearby I am wondering if it is a duckling?

 

[pgsahm2]

I watched a turtle lay eggs in our yard 2 years ago. Even took pictures of the birth! Turtles typically lay multiple eggs and then bury them.

Is the shell soft or hard like a chicken's egg? You may have said and I missed it. If it's hard I would think it's a duck or goose or some other kind of large fowl. But if it's soft then it's a better chance of it being reptilian.

Not that I'm an expert or anything.

 

[Turtle]

what about a turtle?

I SO did not lay an egg in her yard, I swear!

 

[DwarfMaster]

Is the shell soft or hard like a chicken's egg? You may have said and I missed it. If it's hard I would think it's a duck or goose or some other kind of large fowl. But if it's soft then it's a better chance of it being reptilian.

Not that I'm an expert or anything.

I'll let you know this evening...I didn't want to touch it this morning. I was scared that big mama python would come from around the corner. I'll build up the courage by the time I get back.

 

[5Slays]

I thought you weren't supposed to touch eggs that are incubating because the momma won't come back.

BTW, we have 2 birds nests that have set up shop at our house. One in my fern on the front porch and every time I take the fern down to water, the momma bird is not real happy. She sits in a nearby tree and squawks until I bring her babies back.

 

[Cantw8]

I SO did not lay an egg in her yard, I swear!

you sure? According to your ticker it's getting close


nevermind, I see it's your nephew....duhhhh

 

[sunee]

Don't be ridiculous everyone knows the Easter Bunny is a boy

True dat.

I didn't know that turtles lay eggs. Learn something new every day.