Turtle Season In New York: How To Handle Shelled Neighbors

Why did the turtle cross the road? If it's in the months of May and June, it's probably because it was trying to lay eggs.

May and June is turtle season in New York. It's the time of year when the slow, shelled reptiles go on the move to mate and lay eggs. And with many species native to Long Island, it's possible that you'll run across one trying to cross a road to get to a nesting spot.

Long Island is home to more than a dozen different species of turtles — some of which are endangered and some aren't found anywhere else in the state. Sometimes turtles will try to cross roads to get to nesting grounds, which can be difficult for the creatures.

Thousands of turtles are killed by cars every year. And all of the state's land-dwelling turtle species are declining, so it's important to try to avoid hitting them. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation released some tips for what you should do if you encounter a turtle trying to cross a street.

• Do not swerve suddenly or leave your lane of travel, but take care to avoid hitting turtles while driving.
• Be on the lookout for turtles and slow down, especially on roads near rivers and marshy areas
• If you see a turtle in the road or shoulder and you can safely stop your car and approach it, consider moving it to the shoulder on the side of the road in the direction it was facing.
• Picking the turtle up by its tail may frighten or injure it. Most turtles can be picked up by the side of its shell.
• Do not take the turtle home. All native turtles are protected by law and cannot be collected without a permit.

However, you should not approach a snapping turtle. These turtles can grow large and can be quite aggressive. You can tell a snapping turtle apart by its wide head and ridged shell.

By following some simple steps, you can help protect Long Island's turtles. For more information on Long Island's various turtle species, click here.

Photo: JamieS93