I saw a turtle laying eggs in the fall. Will they hatch this spring?

I witnessed a painted turtle laying eggs in my front yard last autumn, and then she buried them. Using crates that have holes on the sides for baby turtles to be able to crawl through, I have them covered with weights, to protect the area from other wildlife critters who might want to dig up the eggs to eat them. They are still there; they've never hatched. Is it possible they will still hatch this spring? How do I know if they have been fertilized? I still have them protected, so when they do they could crawl out; however in the meantime other critters cannot get in. Thank you!

I’m so excited for you to have seen the turtle laying its eggs, to hear you did not disturb the nest, and to know you did your part to protect it. The eggs you saw being laid likely hatched in the fall. You haven’t seen the tiny turtles yet this spring because they are still in the nest! Painted Turtle hatchlings are able to freeze entirely solid in winter and thaw again in the spring thanks to some special adaptations. Hopefully the eggs in your yard were viable and the tiny turtles will emerge this spring on a warm day.

Isn’t Nature amazing?

-Naturalist Karie Wheaton