Turtles

Why did the turtle cross the road? To get to the other side of course! We have a few different species of turtles in our area. We have Eastern Box Turtles, Wood Turtles, Eastern Painted Turtle, Snapping Turtles, Spotted turtles, Mud Turtles, and Diamondback Terrapins to name a few. Turtles are amazing animals and some are known to have lived in excess of 100 years! All species of turtles are very territorial and should never be moved more than an acre or two. In addition, it is illegal to remove a turtle from its territory or to keep it as a pet.

 

Rescue Tips

 

Injured/Sick

 

Prepare an appropriate sized box. Line the box with a light towel and cut holes in the box for ventilation before placing the animal inside. If the turtle is a snapping turtle, pick up by the base of the tail and place quickly in the box. You can tell a snapping turtle by the tell-tale zig zags on the back of the shell near the tail. Otherwise, throw a light towel over the turtle and place it in the box. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after handling turtles.

 

Baby Turtules

 

Prepare an appropriate sized box. Line the box with a light towel and cut holes in the box for ventilation before placing the animal inside. If the turtle is a snapping turtle, pick up by the base of the tail and place quickly in the box. You can tell a snapping turtle by the tell-tale zig zags on the back of the shell near the tail. Otherwise, throw a light towel over the turtle and place it in the box. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after handling turtles.

 

Turtles Crossing the Road

 

Provided it is safe to do so, stop and help the turtle cross the road in the direction it was headed. Box turtles do not bite. Snapping turtles may be pushed off the road with a stick, broom, or other object. In an emergency, they can be picked up the base of the tail and quickly placed on the side of the road. DO NOT REMOVE A TURTLE FROM ITS TERRITORY!!

 

Turtles in Window Wells

 

Pick up the turtle with a shovel and place it outside of the window well. Check an hour or so later to see if the turtle moved.