Reminder to drivers: Watch out for turtles on roadways
Female turtles are making annual, often hazardous treks to deposit eggs, and Connecticut wildlife officials remind residents to watch out for the vulnerable reptiles.
May through July is nesting season for many turtles, but the journey to nesting sites across the state’s fragmented landscape often lies across roads.
“Research has shown that turtle populations across the United States have uncommonly high proportions of males because so many female turtles are being killed on roadways,” Jenny Dickson, director of the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Wildlife Division, said.
The state lists nine of Connecticut’s 12 turtle species as endangered, threatened or of special concern. Roadway fatalities and illegal trafficking are two main causes.
Freshwater turtles are some of the most commonly trafficked species in the U.S. Turtles are illegally shipped to domestic and foreign markets, particularly in Asia, where they are eaten, used for perceived medicinal benefits and for their ornamental shells. Many depleted species cannot withstand the additional pressures of the illegal trade, according to DEEP.
Helping turtles across roadways — always with safety in mind — can be the difference between life and death for the animals and for future generations. Always keep the turtle pointed in the direction it is going. Turning it around will only make the turtle try crossing again in the direction it was initially headed.
Also, do not move a turtle to a “better spot” and do not put terrestrial box turtles in any water body. Leave the turtle in the area where it was found once it’s off the road. Turtles have a home range and females often return to the same area to lay eggs.
Snapping turtles can be large, heavy and feisty. Try shooing them across the road, but if that doesn’t work, lift the turtle by the back of its shell above the back legs and tail, not by the tail, to avoid a bite. Some people use a shovel, stick or even car mats to push or skid snapping turtles across the road.
Turtles have a long lifespan, take a long time to reach sexual maturity and have low survivorship when newly hatched, so populations cannot compensate for the loss of adults without long-term consequences.
State wildlife officials ask people who are aware of a section of road where many turtles cross regularly to inform officials by emailing deep. ctwildlife@ct.gov. Also, do not be tempted to collect turtles for any amount of time, including to keep as pets. Turtles should be left in the wild.
The Wildlife Division is partnering with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Partners in Amphibian and
Reptile Conservation (PARC), and the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) during Wild Turtle Week from May 23-27. Look for information and photographs on the Connecticut Fish and Wildlife Facebook page (facebook.com/ Ctfishandwildlife), or on Instagram (instagram.com/ctfishandwildlife). You can also share your own turtle photos.
For more information, visit portal.ct.gov/deep/wildlife/learn-about-wildlife/ Turtles-of-connecticut.