Connecticut DEEP Urges Drivers To Watch For Turtles On Roads During Nesting Season

CONNECTICUT — It's once again turtle crossing season in Connecticut.

State residents are being asked to slow down and watch for turtles on roads from May through July, when many species cross land during nesting season, according to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

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In a release issued Tuesday, the DEEP said egg-bearing female turtles often leave the water or travel across land to find places to dig nests and lay eggs. That seasonal movement can put them in danger on roadways, especially as habitat fragmentation continues to affect turtle populations in the state, DEEP officials said.

"Connecticut is home to a number of turtle species, including the endangered bog turtle. Habitat fragmentation continues to threaten these populations, making conservation efforts critical to their survival," DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said. "Protecting turtles and their habitats helps ensure that these species persist for future generations."

DEEP officials said drivers who encounter a turtle in the road should keep it pointed in the direction it is already traveling. Moving a turtle to a different location can create more problems because turtles maintain a home range, and females often return to the same area to lay their eggs, they added.

The agency said snapping turtles require extra care.

If a person cannot guide one across the road, DEEP advised carefully picking it up by the back of its shell above the legs and tail, never by the tail. The release also said people can use a stick, shovel or car mat to move a snapping turtle, but should help only when it is safe and should never attempt to stop traffic.

DEEP officials said turtle populations are especially vulnerable because turtles live long lives, take many years to reach maturity and have low survival rates when young. The loss of adult turtles, especially females, can be hard for populations to overcome, they said.

"Research has shown that turtle populations across the United States often have disproportionately high numbers of males because so many female turtles are killed on roadways during nesting season," said Jenny Dickson, the DEEP's Wildlife Division Director. "f you encounter a turtle in the road, remember — give turtles a brake and help them cross if it is safe."

Residents who notice places where turtles frequently cross can report those locations to the Wildlife Division at deep.ctwildlife@ct.gov with location details. DEEP officials also said people should not collect native turtles or keep them as pets, and captive turtles should not be released into the wild because they may not survive and can spread disease or harm native wildlife.