Orignally published in the Saunders Finger Lakes Museum e-newsletter.
In the early days of the Saunders Finger Lakes Museum, the founder, John Adamski, would share weekly reflections on the quiet beauty of our local landscape. Though over a decade has passed, his words still ring true in an ever-changing world. This entry is a deep dive into the wonderful world of turtles! John shares some of his experiences with these lovely creatures, as well as a few tips on how to protect them from busy roadways.
Last evening, I received a call from a relative and neighbor who was concerned about a painted turtle that had been run over by a car as it crossed the road near her home. She said that it was still alive despite having several cracks in its shell – some of which were severe. Not knowing what else to do, she placed it in some tall grass and hoped for the best. I photographed the painted turtle several years ago, doing the exact same thing–crossing the road. I picked it up and carried it across the road in the same direction that it was heading in order to get it out of harm’s way.
June is turtle nesting season, and it’s not uncommon to see a turtle trying to get across a busy blacktop highway. Turtles lay their eggs in nests that they dig in loose sandy/gravelly places and then bury them before leaving them there to hatch on their own. Sometimes those nesting sites are on the opposite side of the road, which is why you’ll find them crossing the road.
Whenever you spot a turtle in the road, please avoid hitting it. If you can, safely pull over and carry it across the road in the same direction that it’s heading. Turtles are slow-moving creatures as it is, and sometimes hot pavement slows them down even more. Most turtles are harmless and can be picked up by carefully grasping the side edges of their shells. In most cases, a turtle will withdraw its head and feet into its shell when handled. The exception is the snapping turtle, which can be picked up by its tail while it squirms and hisses at you the whole time. Be careful with snappers. They can sever a finger and are short-tempered – but at least you’ll be able to outrun them!
