Saving box turtles from the road? Be careful not to mix up their GPS, experts say
Box turtles might be holding up traffic this time of year, experts warn, but wrongly moving them confuses them.
Each year, hungry turtles will cross the road to get to their favorite feeding grounds. So as the weather warms, drivers need to be on the lookout for the slow-moving pedestrians, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers posted on its Facebook page for Jordan Lake and Dam in North Carolina.
And since a “burst of speed” to a turtle is just walking faster, per Welcome Wildlife, it can be tempting to try to help them along.
If traffic conditions allow, box turtles can be carefully moved from the road, the Facebook post says.
A box turtle must be helped to the side of the road it was heading toward so as not to throw it off, it says.
“Because of their homing instinct, it is not advisable to move box turtles outside of their home range,” the Facebook post says.
This homing instinct is what helps the turtles find their way back home if they’re in an unfamiliar area, according to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute.
Box turtles are found along the eastern United States and live in “vegetative areas,” such as shrubby grasslands, marshy areas, open woodlands and the edges of forests, the institute says. They can often be found near ponds, streams and in areas that recently got a lot of rain.
The 4 inch long, 6 inch wide reptiles usually don’t make it very far in a day, according to the Smithsonian. About 55 yards is usually all they can handle. But they make their treks “energetically” and with their heads held high.
Box turtles are most active in the warmer months and mate in the spring and summer. But if it gets too hot, they might hide until a cooler part of the day, according to the Maryland Zoo.
If seen crossing the road, they’re likely after mushrooms, fruit, insects, small amphibians or fish, as those are their favorite foods, the institute says.
It’s important to watch out for them when they do cross
“Since box turtles are long-lived and take up to 10 years to reach sexual maturity, road mortality can quickly eliminate populations,” the Facebook post says.
A box turtle can live longer than 100 years, the Maryland Zoo says.
In general, it’s important to check on injured turtles found near the road, as they could still be alive, McClatchy News reported in the fall.
“Even turtles that look dead may still be alive,” Carolina Waterfowl Rescue Executive Director Jennifer Gordon told McClatchy News. “If you see one along the side of the road always make sure it’s safe to stop, then check the turtle for injuries.”
This story was originally published April 27, 2020 at 5:18 PM.
