European pond turtles begin migration toward water

Between late August and early September, juvenile European pond turtles hatch and begin their journey toward water habitats. In the Körös-Maros National Park, these small reptiles, weighing only a few grams and roughly the size of a coin, must navigate toward wetlands independently.

Female turtles typically lay their eggs in loess or sandy soil, often hundreds of meters or even kilometers away from the water. The hatching process is heavily influenced by weather conditions; warm, sunny weather accelerates development, while cold or rainy periods can delay it. Once they reach the water, the hatchlings feed on mosquito larvae and small worms. If they survive this initial stage, these turtles can live for up to fifty years.