Furrowed Wood Turtle (Rhinoclemmys areolata)
This species was red-listed by the IUCN as Near-Threatened in 2007 but hasn’t been assessed in the last 14 years, so I’m sure with urban development, roads, and increased loss of freshwater wetlands, it’s much worse off now. Taken in the Sittee River Wildlife Reserve, Stann Creek District
Ambergris Caye is home to the Furrowed Wood Turtles, a semi-terrestrial species native to the island.
They're a freshwater species and a common sighting during rainy season. But due to there being no consistent fresh water sources, they spend most of their time during dry season buried, surfacing in times of rain to quench their thirst and forage.
When found wandering around away from wooded or forested areas, they are in search of food, mates, and nesting grounds. If in the road, help them across, but don't place them in the lagoon, take them home, or move them. A turtle moved away from its territory will be put in danger crossing roads and unfamiliar grounds as it tries to make its way home.
Furrowed wood turtles (Rhinoclemmys areolata) usually lay one narrowly ellipsoidal egg at a time (though there have been a few cases where they have been found to lay 2) and they can have up to four eggs in a season. It takes about 90 days for eggs if this species in Belize to hatch and when they do they are totally on their own to face the world!
If you are to ever find an egg in the wild, please do not handle it, as even small movement and twisting of the egg can kill the embryo. One can see by candling in a few weeks if it was fertilized.