Posted on: 2017-05-01 14:31:26
It’s spring and turtles are out of hibernation.
They’re looking for food, mates, and good places to lay eggs. And often those places will be on the other side of a road.
If they’re lucky, the road isn’t busy and they make it safely across.
If the road is busy (or a driver isn’t paying attention) …
Well, that turtle could get crushed. 🙁
Stay Safe While Helping That Turtle
Just like turtles are following their instincts when they’re crossing the road, we turtle lovers instinctively want to keep them safe.
But keep in mind that you need to keep yourself safe in the process. You’re not going to help anyone if you get yourself hurt!
So:
- If you’re driving, pull over safely. Turn on your hazard lights to warn other drivers you’re stopped.
- Once traffic is clear, move quickly.
- Most turtles you can pick up by the sides of the shell (between the front and hind legs). If the turtle is small (like a boxie), you may be able to pick it up with one hand. Use two hands for larger turtles.
- For some turtles it’s safer to use a big stick to push them gently from behind to encourage them to move quicker. Do this for snapping turtles, whose long necks can reach around to bite you (ouch!). Also for big turtles you’re not sure you can easily lift.
- Cross the road quickly and place the turtle gently on the ground.
Remember, take the turtle in the direction it was already headed. If you bring it back where it came from, it’ll just head back onto the road to try crossing again.
And don’t drive it somewhere “safer” or “better for turtles.” Many turtles (box turtles included) have a strong sense of home. If you take them away from home, they’ll just try to get back. And they’ll probably be crossing even more roads on that journey.
Avoiding Injuring the Turtle, Too
Of course, you wouldn’t hurt it on purpose, but you could do it accidentally. So:
- Don’t pick a turtle up by the tail. You could break its spine. This is especially true of snapping turtles.
- If you’re not sure you can carry a turtle without dropping it, don’t. As mentioned above, use a stick to gently prod it across the road.
If you do need to prod the turtle across the road, avoid using anything sharp to do this.
What if the Turtle’s Already Injured?
Sadly, turtles get injured or crushed all too regularly.
If you do find an injured turtle, please take it to a wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible. We have information on finding wildlife rehabilitators here.
Even a crushed turtle may still be alive. If you can safely check the turtle, do so. Gently pinch a toe or touch its face to see if it reacts. If it is alive, contact a wildlife rehabiliator. They may not be able to do more than euthanize it, but at least you will have helped prevent more needless suffering.
Try to put the turtle in a box lined with paper or cloth towels. It’s best not to feed it unless a rehabber tells you otherwise. And only give water if the turtle’s awake and not seriously injured.
Have you ever helped a turtle across the road or taken one to a wildlife rehabilitator?