Snapping turtle nest forces closure of Cambridge ball diamond

A mother snapping turtle has chosen the perfect spot to lay her eggs, and it just happens to be in the middle of a Cambridge baseball diamond.

The City of Cambridge has temporarily closed a ball diamond at Riverside Park after workers saw the turtle digging a nest near the pitcher mound, about a month ago.

A second nest was then discovered nearby.

Alana Russell, Director of Communications, City of Cambridge, told 570 NewsRadio they looked into the option of possibly moving the eggs.

“We did explore the option to have the (turtle) eggs transported and incubated in coordination with the certified animal care providers we have contact with. Unfortunately, there were no incubation spaces available. So, at that point in time, we looked at the situation and decided it was best to cordon off the area.”

City staff erected fencing around the sites and posted signage informing visitors about the nests and asked that they keep their distance.

“It’s pretty clearly marked and it’s right in the center of the ball diamond,” Russell said. “It’s Ok that people are curious and want to take a look, but we just ask that they leave the cordoned off area in place while this process takes place.”

It typically takes six to eight weeks for the hatchlings to appear. Russell says once the little ones have moved on, the diamond will reopen.

She said the city has been in contact with the leagues that regularly use that diamond, and the games have been scheduled elsewhere.

The snapping turtle is listed as a species of Special Concern under the Endangered Species Act.