24/05/2025
Give them a break and a hand, if you can.
Be on the lookout for turtles crossing the road and remember to “give turtles a brake.”
Female turtles are seeking nesting areas to lay their eggs and may need to risk crossing roads to get to these habitats. Unfortunately, thousands of turtles are killed each year when struck by vehicles in New York State. Please never remove a turtle from the wild to ‘rescue’ it or take it to an area with fewer roads. Turtles are familiar with the landscape and may try to return, and risk crossing more roads. Removing even one adult female turtle from the wild can hurt local populations.
If you see a turtle in the road:
🐢 Reduce traveling speed, where safe to do so, and stay vigilant around ponds and wetlands, or other turtle crossing hot spots (turtle crossing signs).
🐢 Stop only if you can SAFELY do so, signal properly when pulling over and PARK ENTIRELY OFF THE ROAD.
🐢 Do NOT pick turtles up by their tails. Doing so can dislocate or fracture the tail bones and other tissues. Most turtles can be picked up safely by the sides of their shells. (See snapping turtle info below). Use a secure grip, as turtles may kick at your hands to loosen your hold. Dropping a turtle can damage their shell and developing embryos within females.
🐢 Move the turtle off the road in the direction it was already heading.
🐢 Wave goodbye and carry on living your life.
What if it’s a snapping turtle:
🐢 Snapping turtles have a strong bite and necks that reach far back. (*SAFETY NOTE*: snapping turtles can spin quickly and kick vigorously when gripped and lifted – use appropriate caution.)
🐢 Pick them up by the rear shell near the tail or slide a car mat under to drag safely across the road.
🐢 Do not drag the turtle by the tail. Doing so can dislocate the tail bones.
A licensed wildlife rehabilitator may be able to help if an injured turtle is found.
All amphibians and reptiles native to New York are protected by New York State Environmental Conservation Law.
Leave turtles in the wild—do not take them home as pets.
Photo of a wood turtle by Ksenia Zinchenko