Modification of the hydric environment by eggs of snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina)

Flexible-shelled eggs of snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) incubated on a dry substrate in the laboratory lost sufficient water to cause the water potential of their environment to increase significantly. This modification of the hydric environment prevented eggs from becoming desiccated and demonstrated the capacity of reptilian eggs to modify their environment in such a manner as to enhance their likelihood of completing development.