For this animal, around since the time of dinosaurs, the climate decides its gender

These animals have adapted to so much. But now they need our help to survive something they can’t adapt to quickly enough: a rapidly changing climate.

By: Lifestyle Desk

New Delhi | October 30, 2025 11:30 AM IST

3 min read

Snapping turtles are born without a fixed gender—the temperature of the soil decides if they’ll be male or female.(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

The snapping turtle, known for its powerful bite and prehistoric appearance, is a living fossil that’s been around for over 90 million years. Native to North America, it plays an important role in wetland ecosystems by scavenging and controlling populations of small aquatic creatures.

When snapping turtles hatch from their eggs, they don’t come out as boys or girls. In fact, they aren’t born with a set gender at all. Sounds wild? It’s true. What decides their sex isn’t their genes; it’s the temperature of the soil around their eggs.

According to herpetologists and wildlife biologists, snapping turtles (especially Chelydra serpentina, the common snapping turtle) exhibit what’s known as temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD). This means that the ambient temperature of the nest—not chromosomes—determines the sex of the hatchlings.

Research published in journals like Nature and detailed in wildlife encyclopaedias, confirms that in snapping turtles:

Cooler temperatures (around 22°C / 71.6°F) typically result in male hatchlings.
Warmer temperatures (above 28°C / 82.4°F) lead to the development of female hatchlings.
At intermediate temperatures, nests may produce a mix of sexes, or sometimes a skew depending on subtle environmental factors.

That means the gender of an entire generation of turtles can shift just because of a hot summer or a shady nesting spot.

In some areas, scientists are seeing nearly all-female clutches of turtles. This can threaten their long-term survival if fewer males are around to mate. (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

This quirk of nature doesn’t just make for a remarkable biology trivia fact; it has serious implications in a world affected by climate change. As global temperatures rise, nesting grounds get warmer, often consistently. This means many snapping turtle populations may end up with more females than males, skewing the natural balance.

In some areas, scientists are seeing nearly all-female clutches of turtles. This can threaten their long-term survival if fewer males are around to mate.

Story continues below this ad

Why does this matter? Without enough males in the population, it becomes harder for turtles to reproduce. Over time, this imbalance can threaten entire species, even ones like the snapping turtle that have existed since the time of the dinosaurs.

We’re talking about an animal that’s survived for over 90 million years, and now something as basic as a few degrees in soil temperature could throw off its entire future.

Luckily, small actions can make a difference. Avoid disturbing known turtle nesting areas, especially during spring and summer. Try to plant more trees near wetlands. Shade helps regulate soil temperature, making it less likely for the nests to overheat.

Support wetland conservation groups. Many organisations are actively working to monitor turtle nests and even relocate eggs when needed. The more people understand how climate affects animals subtly, the more support there is for climate action.

From the homepage