Brake For Turtles

Turtles are very active on roadways right now! We’re receiving injured turtles nearly every day to Carolina Waterfowl Rescue. These animals can’t move out of the way for you on the road. They’re crossing artificial terrain that’s made their natural home 100x more deadly for them. Females are looking for spots to lay eggs. Sadly, we have had several cases of mothers who were deceased but had eggs inside. We save and incubate the eggs in the hopes of preserving some life. After looking at crushed shell after crushed shell, it’s starting to feel like this is a record summer for hit-by-car turtles! Here are a few tips on sharing the road with our terrapin friends.

↔️ If it is safe for you to do so, you may help a turtle cross the road in the SAME direction that the animal was facing. Please maintain your own safety! Watch out for other motor vehicles when exiting your car, and park your car in a visible location with your hazards blinking.

🫰 Yes, even snapping turtles can be helped across! Never pull on the tail or hold the turtle solely by the tail because their spine can dislocate. Also don’t put your hands on the sides of the shells. Be sure to approach them from the back. You’ll notice ridges at the back of the turtle’s top shell, almost perfect for gripping! Place your non-dominant hand there and lift the turtle enough to slip your dominant hand underneath the turtle to support from the bottom. With both hands in place, carry the turtle across or slide the turtle on to a car mat and drag the car mat across the road. Always exercise caution around their face and be prepared for the turtle to snap or angle their neck around as you carry them.

🩹 If you see a run-over turtle, please come to a safe stop and collect the turtle. Text our hotline at (704) 286-6330 to bring the turtle to us at 5403 Poplin Rd. Indian Trail, NC 28079 or find your nearest NC reptile rehabber. Turtles can survive for hours or days with crushed shells. Don’t let them suffer.

🚘 Drive responsibly. Be aware of your speed and keep a lookout for wildlife, whether you’re traveling on a remote road or a highway.

🌱 Also be advised that turtles may be hidden in your tall grass. Please keep this in mind when mowing your lawn or if you’re employing landscapers, please let them know to be on the lookout. We’ve also admitted a fair amount of turtles with shell damage from lawn mowers.

⛔️ Don’t take the turtle home or relocate them to a “safer location” somewhere else. ‘Nuff said.

📖 Share this post to help education more people!