The clutch may contain from 3 to 17 elliptical eggs. Between 65 and 90 days pass before they hatch. The nests, however, are not safe. Subject to predation by birds and small mammals such as crows, skunks and raccoons, many eggs are lost in the first 24 hours of incubation. Those that do hatch are in danger of additional predation and highway mortality as they travel to their aquatic habitat.
Hatchlings are about one and a quarter inches long and range from dark gray to greenish in color.
Little is known about the habits of the young. They appear to be very secretive, foraging exclusively in aquatic habitats which are densely vegetated. Once they are about 6 inches long they can be seen basking and foraging more easily and often. Even fully grown the Blanding's turtle is one of nature's most timid creatures. Due to their shyness, they must be approached very delicately if they are to be observed.