Watch out for turles on our roads!
Each year at this time, female turtles move from lakes, ponds, wetlands, rivers and streams to nesting areas, where they deposit their eggs in self-excavated nests. Unfortunately, many nesting areas are separated from the turtles’ wintering areas by roads.
Turtles are often observed crossing roads as they make their way to nesting areas. “Many turtles and other species are killed on Minnesota roads each year, especially during the nesting season,” said Carol Hall, herpetologist for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Minnesota has nine turtle species, some of which are protected.
You can help reduce
road mortality for turtles
in these ways:
• Allow unassisted road crossings.
When turtles can safely cross roads unaided due to a lack of oncoming traffic,allow them to do so. Observe from a distance and avoid rapid movements, as doing otherwise will often cause a turtle to change
direction, stop, or seek shelter within
its shell.
• Maintain direction of travel if road
crossing assistance is necessary. Turtles should be moved across roadways in as direct a line as
possible, unless doing so would
definitely put them in peril.
• If you see a turtle or other animal
on the road, slow down and drive around it. Many people want to help turtles cross the road, which is understandable. The best approach is to let the turtle cross unassisted.
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