How to Help Turtles Thrive this Spring

If, like me, you’re finally starting to see warmer days with plenty of sunshine, I’m sure you are also relieved. Spring is around the corner, and with sun and warmth comes something else: the return of turtles. Here’s what you should know to help keep these little reptiles safe this spring: 

Why is it common to see turtles in spring? 

Did you know that turtles hibernate? If not, now you do! While bears get the most focus for their winter withdrawals, turtles practice similar habits. Reptile hibernation is known as brumation, and its also practiced by animals like alligators, frogs, and snakes. 

Turtle brumation habits varies from species to species. Burrowing into the ground is a common tactic for many turtles, including the box turtles that are native to North America. Other species may submerge themselves in water, nestle into piles of leaves, or even borrow other animals’ burrows. 

Why would I be seeing a turtle on the road? 

Nesting female turtles are a common sight on roads in the spring. Since turtles build nests on land, females ready to lay eggs will be leaving the water and searching for an ideal spot, which might bring them face-to-face with traffic. Some turtles also hibernate in ponds that are different from the ones in which they live during the warmer months, so they might be returning to their summer home. Turtles can also be driven to cross the road due to human activity, like if the pond they are in is drained. 

How can I help a turtle cross a road? 

If you can safely block traffic for a minute or two, do so! If you see a turtle while driving on a highway or other busy road, you might not have that option. Keep yourself safe when you get out of your car—you can’t help a turtle if you are struck by another vehicle. If there is someone else in the car with you, tag-teaming so one person can signal to traffic while the other goes for the turtle is a good solution. 

When you reach the turtle, be sure to grip it firmly either by both sides of the shell or with a hand on top and underneath. As you move across the road, be sure to take the turtle in the same direction it was going. If you try and take it back to the side of the road it came from, there’s a good chance the turtle will simply try to cross again. If unclear which direction the turtle came from, use your best judgement and just get it off the road. 

Finally–use hand sanitizer and wash your hands as soon as you can. If you don’t have sanitizer on you, creating a barrier with a towel or blanket you have in you car can help make things more hygienic. Turtles are worth saving but they also carry disease, so take precautions to keep yourself healthy.  

What should I do if I come across an injured turtle? 

You might come across a turtle that you wouldn’t think has any chance of living, possibly with a broken shell from being hit by a car. Maybe the turtle has an injury caused by something other than a vehicle, like being attacked by a dog. Turtles are surprisingly resilient–injuries that seem like they should end in death may just be able to be rehabilitated. 

If you find an injured turtle, the best thing you can do is get it to a trained rehabber instead of taking it home yourself. You can find a list of turtle rescues by state here. If there is not a turtle rescue near you, there may be another type of reptile rescue or general wildlife rehabber in the area that can take the turtle in. If you can’t find a resource online, your state’s natural resources department or a local vet may have information. 

Warning that this paragraph mentions killing an animal. If there is no rescue anywhere near you and the turtle is clearly smashed to pieces and suffering, but still alive, it might be most merciful to put it out of its misery. As mentioned above, turtles are extremely hard to kill. As brutal as it sounds, one of the sure ways to end a suffering turtle’s life is to place its head in front of your tire and run over it. Please only do something like this if you have clearly weighed the animal’s suffering against whether you can get it to a rescue. Some rescues might be able to come to you, and injured turtles may be able to make a longer journey by car than you would predict. 

If you’re curious about turtle rehab, Of Time and Turtles by Sy Montgomery is a wonderful book that documents the author’s work with a turtle rescue. American turtles are at risk due to the illegal animal trade, habitat loss, cars, and pollution. Saving even one turtle is something worth celebrating. 

With our help, at-risk turtles have a better chance of thriving and making it to their destinations this spring. By protecting these cool little animals, we can help protect the environments in which we live, work, and play.