When Australian river turtles lay their eggs in warm sandy holes along the riverbank, one might expect that the eggs will hatch at different times, depending on their position and temperature. Eggs at the bottom of the nest, where it is cooler, will develop more slowly and may hatch later than the eggs at the top of the nest, which are warmer. However, surprisingly, all the eggs hatch at the same time. This has caught the attention of scientists and led to an intriguing study to understand the reason behind this phenomenon.
A recent study investigated this phenomenon by dividing the eggs into two groups: one group was kept at a high temperature, while the other group was kept at a lower temperature. After two-thirds of the incubation period, the cooler eggs were moved to an environment similar to the warmer eggs. The result was surprising: all the eggs, despite developing under different temperature conditions, hatched at the same time. This suggests that there is another factor, aside from temperature, influencing the hatching time of the eggs.
Ricky-John Spencer, a researcher from the University of Western Sydney, Australia, explains: “An egg is actually breathing. It’s sucking in oxygen and expiring carbon dioxide.” This means that as the number of eggs in the nest increases, more CO2 will accumulate. Scientists believe that the buildup of CO2 may stimulate underdeveloped eggs, speeding up their development. “When the CO2 levels rise in the nest, underdeveloped eggs will increase their metabolic rate to catch up with the others,” Spencer shares.
“When all the eggs hatch at the same time, the baby turtles can leave the nest as a group, helping them avoid predators and increasing their chances of survival,” the researchers confirm.
The fact that all the eggs hatch at once may serve an important survival purpose. A group of baby turtles leaving the nest together reduces the risk of being hunted by predators. Scientists believe this behavior helps the baby turtles survive better in their early life stages when they face dangers from predators.

Researching this mechanism not only provides valuable insights into the behavior of animal species but also has potential applications in turtle conservation and the protection of other wildlife species. Additionally, understanding how these creatures interact with their environment could open up new avenues in biological research, helping to protect biodiversity on Earth.
HPX24h > Animals > The Secret Behind Turtle Eggs Hatching at the Same Time: A Fascinating Reason
Top Reads from This Category
Animals
The Survival of Orangutans: When Endangered Orangutans Have to Digest Their Own Muscles to Survive
Animals
Can Hyena Dogs Be as Smart as Primates?
Animals
Gibbons Develop Vocal Techniques as Powerful as Humans: New Discoveries About Their Unique Sounds
Animals
Rats Help Each Other: When Compassion Emerges from Small Creatures
Animals
Ravens Use Gestures to Find Mates: A New Discovery About Their Intelligence
Animals
Baboons With Stable Relationships Live Longer and Show Greater Kindness
Animals
The Stunning Image of a Cheetah in Action During Its Hunt
Discover New Topics
Science
Science Could Regrow Your Lost Arm… on a Monkey’s Body
Animals
Male Spiders Sacrifice Themselves to Protect Future Generations
Fitness
Postpartum Fitness: Secrets to Maintaining an Active Routine for a Quick Recovery
Fitness
Post-Workout Muscle Soreness: Tips to Relieve Pain and Stay Motivated in Your Fitness Journey
Science
Stem Cell Therapy for Lung Cancer: A New Hope Entering Human Trials
Science
Why Do Adult Brains Continue to Generate New Neurons?
Science
Laser Therapy Could Help Regrow Your Teeth – Did You Know?
Fitness
Mastering the Difference Between Aerobic and Anaerobic: Are You Choosing the Right Workout
Space
The Two Largest Black Holes Ever Discovered
Science
New Hope for the Blind: A Breakthrough in Retinal Implant Technology
Healthy Eating
The Comprehensive Guide to the 16:8 Intermittent Fasting Diet
Science
The First Person to Experience Physical Sensations Through a Prosthetic Hand
Fitness
Risk of Increased Mortality in Diabetics Due to Prolonged Sitting: A Warning and Action Guide