For over 50 years, scientists have spent their summers at the Algonquin Park research station, closely monitoring the region’s turtle populations. In recent years, their work has led to a surprising discovery: turtles vocalize — not only as adults, but even as hatchlings still inside their eggs.

This summer, Associate Professor Njal Rollinson led a team of students into the field to capture these vocalizations. Their mission was to uncover what the turtles are communicating and how these sounds might shape their behaviour and development.

One of the most remarkable findings was that baby turtles begin vocalizing to each other in the nest before they hatch, possibly coordinating their emergence. This opens up exciting new questions about reptile communication and social behavior.

The research is part of two long-term studies exploring how climate change and environmental conditions impact animal populations, and how species adapt over time.

Rollinson shared these discoveries on the fall premiere episode of CBC’s Quirks & Quarks, offering listeners a rare glimpse into the hidden conversations of reptiles in Algonquin Park.