Spring has arrived and many species are on the move. Here’s a few tips on what to do if you spot a turtle crossing the road:
- Slow down and keep an eye out for turtles on the move.
- Always consider your own safety first with regards to traffic; only assist if you can do so without endangering yourself or others.
- If you can, simply keep an eye on the crossing turtle until it has safely crossed the roadway.
If you must help:
- If it is a newly emerged (baby) turtle, move it across the road towards the wetland area.
- If it is a mature turtle and she is….
- … an Eastern painted turtle, you can safely pick her up by the edges of its rounded shell and move her to safety in the direction in which she is moving. Turtles have strong nesting site fidelity; she knows where she is going.
- … a snapping turtle, monitor it while it crosses the road allowing it to continue moving in its original direction. Only if you have experience with snappers should you attempt to pick one up by the tail, sliding one hand underneath the turtle to support its spine and lift it like you would a platter to remove it from a roadway. DO NOT pick up solely by the tail; that could damage her spine. Also DO NOT pick up by the edge of her shell; her long neck/powerful jaws/self-protectiveness and fright could result in your fingers being bitten.
Spotted Turtle Bonus!
Spotted turtle hatchlings belong to the 10% survival club—that is, 90% of turtle eggs are destroyed/eaten during the first 24 hours after being laid because their scent allows detection of the nest until the eggshells harden. Hatchlings will sometimes stay in the nest throughout the winter and emerge in the spring!
Thanks to Kristen Augulewicz, an employee at New England Biolabs and member of NEBGreen for this guest blog post.