Since many will be making trips out of the city, it’s a good idea to keep a keen eye on the road.
For the obvious reason drivers should be paying attention, so this could be a passengers job to look out for turtles on our roadways.
Since turtles are endangered across Canada, including all eight different species in Ontario they are very vulnerable this time of year to collisions with vehicles.
Turtle populations have declined, with many making lists as endangered or threatened.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada says that turtles are the custodians to our wetlands and they help in keeping the water clean.
Many turtles, especially females, will be looking for mating and nesting areas which includes crossing roads.
What If You Come Across A Turtle?
- To help a turtle safely cross the road, first make sure the road is safe for you to pull over and help. Put your safety first.
- Move the turtle in the direction it was going, otherwise it will likely try to cross again.
- For turtles that hide their heads in their shells (like Blanding’s turtle and Midland painted turtle), simply pick the turtle up, gently holding it with both hands, supporting its belly and holding the top of its shell (the way you might hold a hamburger), and carry it across the road. Carry it close to the ground — you don’t want to drop it.
- Snapping turtles can weigh as much as 34kgs and have heavy, spiked tails and massive, armoured shells. These turtles cannot hide their heads in their shells and have a dangerously sharp snout. They are large and grey. To move them and avoid injury to the turtle, lift them using the “handles” on either side of their tails on the back of their shells and “wheelbarrow” them across the road on their front legs. If you have a car matt or a shovel, carefully slide the turtle onto this and drag the matt or shovel across the road.
- Once you are done moving the turtle, back away and let the turtle be, to avoid causing it stress.
- DO NOT pushing or shove turtles across the road with your feet or sticks. Their shells aren’t as thick underneath, and rough pavement can do a lot of damage.
- Other threats to turtles include habitat loss, invasive species and illegal collection for the pet trade.
Here’s a video on how to keep turtles safe when helping them cross the road.