It’s turtle season! Several species – including the Eastern box turtle, Eastern painted turtle, snapping turtle, and diamondback terrapin – call New Jersey home, and it is common to see them crossing the road in Cape May and surrounding areas. The diamondback terrapin, New Jersey’s only salt marsh turtle, is at particular risk. These turtles are searching for suitable locations to lay their eggs, and there are several steps we can take to help protect our reptilian friends.
? As always, exercise caution while driving and keep a safe distance between your vehicle and those ahead, keeping an eye out for turtles.
️ Use caution to avoid hitting a turtle in the road, but do NOT swerve suddenly, leave your lane, or stop abruptly.
If you see a turtle, signal properly to pull over and activate your hazard lights. Watch for oncoming traffic and keep your safety and the safety of others in mind!
If there is no oncoming traffic, allow the turtle to safely cross the road unaided.
If it is necessary to assist the turtle along, handle with care and avoid excess handling! Most turtles can be picked up by the side of their shells near the mid-point of their body. NEVER pick up a turtle by its tail.
? Wear gloves when handling turtles or wash your hands afterwards.
️ Always move the turtle in the direction it is headed. It may seem helpful to move a turtle to a nearby waterbody, but if the turtle was not trying to get to the water, it will turn around.
️ Never attempt to lift a snapping turtle. The safest way to move one of these critters is to prod them along with a nearby branch.
If you see an injured turtle, the best thing to do is to contact a wildlife rehabilitator. If you have a box, you can gently place the turtle in the box to keep it safe while you connect with the rehabilitator. A list of rehabilitators can be found on the website for the NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife (follow the link in our bio for more info).
(These tips are from the NJ Department of Environmental Protection.)
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