Kountry Kitchen Guarding Snapping Turtle Eggs

Kountry Kitchen, well-known for its tasty breakfast dishes, has a bunch of eggs that aren't on the menu — left there June 2 by a mother snapping turtle.

Nicole Delos, co-owner of the restaurant, said the restaurant had just removed a half-barrel planter from the right hand side of the parking lot while preparing for some landscaping when the turtle took advantage of the exposed soil at about 6 a.m. that Sunday. The turtle was done laying the eggs by about 9:30 a.m., she said.

Terry Delos, also an owner, said a customer told him the turtle was making a nest in the spot. He had a look for himself. "She was laying the eggs right in the parking lot," Terry said.

Terry said this is the first time a turtle has made its nest on the property in the 15 years he's been at the restaurant. He said he called the DEM to see what they should do to help out with the eggs. "They told me to leave them alone. 

So, Terry said, that's what they'll do. He said he marked off the spot and made a sign warning people away. Terry said the eggs will probably hatch sometime this August.