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How does nest temperature affect a turtle egg’s incubation time?

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Illustrations of ten representative chelonians, including spiny softshell turtle, Galapagos giant tortoise, green turtle, alligator snapping turtle, Blanding's turtle, common map turtle, eastern box turtle, eastern painted turtle, spotted turtle, and eastern mud turtle, each labeled with its common and scientific name. A scale bar at the bottom shows size comparison. — turtle Turtles (order Testudines).

The rate of development for a turtle egg is temperature-dependent, meaning that incubation time is variable based on the thermal conditions of the nest.1

In general, warmer nest temperatures accelerate the rate of embryonic development, thereby shortening the incubation period, while cooler temperatures slow the development process, extending the time required for the egg to hatch. For the majority of turtle species, this incubation period typically ranges between 45 and 75 days.12

It is important to note that while temperature influences the speed of development, extreme heat or cold can be lethal to the developing embryo. Additionally, some species undergo embryonic diapause, a state where development temporarily stops after the egg is laid and only resumes when specific environmental stimuli, such as changes in temperature and moisture, occur. In these cases, the total time from egg laying to hatching can be significantly longer, lasting up to 12 months.21