Northland Motorists Should Be On The Lookout For Turtles on Roads

Over the next several weeks, turtles will be on the move to familiar nesting locations and that means that they will slowly be making their way across roads.  The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says the allowing turtles to cross the roads is vital to preserving regional populations.

The Minnesota DNR encourages you to give turtles a hand by doing the following:

• Think safety. Simply pulling off the road and turning on hazard lights may alert other drivers to slow down. Be aware of surroundings and traffic. Do not swerve.
• Avoid excessive handling. While wanting to inspect turtles closely is understandable, excessive handling can disrupt normal behavior. Prolonged examination of turtles should be limited to only one or two individuals of each species.
• Allow unassisted road crossings. When turtles can safely cross roads unaided due to a lack of oncoming traffic, allow them to do so. Observe from a distance and avoid rapid movements, as doing otherwise will often cause turtles to change direction, stop or seek shelter within their shells.
• Handle turtles gently. If necessary to pick them up, all turtles except snappers and softshells or "leatherbacks" should be grasped gently along the shell edge near the mid-point of the body. Be advised that many turtles empty their bladder when lifted off the ground, so be careful not to suddenly drop them.
• Maintain direction of travel. Always move turtles in the same direction they were traveling in when encountered. Turtles should always be moved across roadways in as direct a line as possible. It may seem helpful to "assist" the turtle in its journey by moving them to a nearby body of water, but it is important to remember the phrase, "If you care, leave it there."

Of course, if the turtles happen to be ninjas, you can offer them a slice of pizza.