The time of year is starting to come to a close, but there are still a few turtles around looking to lay eggs.
They tend to get pretty focused on the laying of the eggs. The turtles seem to decide on a spot where the eggs need to be buried and go there. Who cares if it’s a day or more to walk that far. They’re going. Highway in the way? That won’t stop them. Okay. Maybe getting run over by a truck will slow them down a bit.
There are a lot of people, myself included, who like to try to help turtles. Even snapping turtles, which are not exactly friendly and co-operative.
The first thing is, make sure you’re not going to get smacked by the truck. Playing in the middle of the road is not always a safe place. Your mother probably explained this, but we all tend to forget. So watch out for others, not just the turtle.
The next thing is, you have to figure out which way the turtle was headed. They can get turned around, but as I mentioned, they can get pretty focused on where they want to lay eggs. They are going to that spot no matter what you do. So if you take them to the wrong side of the road, they’ll just head back. So you have to get them going the right way.
Smaller turtles are pretty easy to handle. But larger turtles, like a full grown snapper, can be a bit more difficult. I’ve seen many people trying to lift a snapping turtle by the sides of the shell. Most get away with it. Some don’t. Unlike a painted turtle, the snapper has a neck that will almost allow him to scratch his tail with his teeth. Almost.
Really. They can almost reach their back legs, which is pretty much the only place you can grab them, right by the back legs. It’s a bit safer, but the weight is all in the front which makes them hard to lift.
There are safer ways to handle a snapping turtle. Some people will make them bite a stick and drag them. That can work. Or you can use that emergency snow shovel you forgot to take out of your car. That works really well. Although giving them a stern lecture about the dangers of crossing a road, even if you are covered with a protective shell, has very little effect.
It’s nice to help turtles. They need our help from time to time. Just be careful while doing it.
