Heroes in a Half-Shell: How drivers can (properly) help turtles

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Why did the turtle cross the road? Well, to lay its eggs, probably. In built-up areas, natural wetlands are often bisected by roads, making it difficult for the creatures to make their way to new ground. Turtles can also move between wetlands — they enjoy a change in scenery as much as the next guy, it seems — and can have a habitat range of 10 kilometres or more. They most likely will return to the same nesting area year after year, an activity that will probably involve crossing a road.

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It’s in the nature (pun intended) of most drivers to feel the need to stop and help a turtle that is in danger on a roadway. However, humans need to be mindful that we can inadvertently cause more harm than good if the right approach is not taken. All the same, we know our readers are a compassionate bunch; so for the best advice, we went to the experts.

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Wendy Baggs is the Education Coordinator at the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre, a non-profit, registered charity located in the Peterborough region that operates a hospital for injured wild turtles. She took the time to explain how best to approach a turtle that’s stranded in a roadway, and the proper actions a driver can take to gently help the animal to safety.

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“It starts with being be mindful of your own safety and of those around you,” she explained. If you do decide to stop and help a turtle that’s in the middle of a roadway, signalling properly and pulling over safely. There’s a good chance you’ve now driven slightly past the turtle in distress, meaning the driver needs to walk back to the animal.

“Ironically, this is when a good number of turtle strikes happen,” said our expert. “Think about it: other drivers are likely to be looking at the person walking roadside and the car that’s pulled to the shoulder. With their attention focused on there – as is natural – they’re likely to miss seeing the turtle in the road.” She recommends being using exaggerated gestures to point down at the turtle if it is safe to do so.

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Once you’re safely at the turtle and have made sure there’s no oncoming traffic, determine which way the turtle is travelling. The way they are facing is their intended path of direction. Turtles are wonderful but stubborn creatures, Baggs said, who don’t tend to wander aimlessly and are generally on a mission to get where they’re going. Why is that tidbit important? “Even if it seems like a better idea to place the turtle back on the side of the road to which they are closest, the turtle will simply try to cross the road again.”

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Now you’ve determined the turtle’s direction (and that it’s still safe for you to be in the middle of the roadway), know that there are a couple of different types of turtles. Most people in this neck of the woods can recognize the difference between a non-snapping and snapping turtle — and even if you don’t, the distinction will be clear as you approach the creature. Remember, anything with a mouth can bite … especially snapping turtles.

If it is a non-snapping turtle you’re trying to help, Baggs says it is okay to gently place your two hands on the middle of its shell, called the bridge, and – with a secure hold – carefully lift the animal off pavement then softly place it down in some grass well off the road. They will retract into their shell like a frightened introvert, our expert advises, and might have been heading across the road for mating or a better wetland area.

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Snapping turtles require a different approach. “Always approach them from behind,” Baggs helpfully advises. “The only safe place for human hands is on the shell over its hind legs. Put your hands on the shell right over their back legs – but don’t touch the legs or tail since that may result in an injury.”

If it wasn’t already clear, the crew at the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre are professionals. This ain’t their first rodeo.

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“Place four fingers under the shell, then put your thumb on top. There’s lots of space under the shell, more than you think, but hang on tight and be prepared for the turtle to get offended.” This sounds like trying to encourage a sullen teenager to clean their room. “The moment you put the turtle down,” she continues, “be sure to release and quickly retreat to the left or right. If you don’t, the turtle is likely to turn around and become disoriented.”

When asked if it is okay to use a car floor mat or something similar to help move a turtle, she advises that approach is fine, just the process will probably take longer. Still, some drivers want to help the turtle without touching it, so the Centre also says that using a collapsible shovel with a plastic blade is okay as well. In both of these instances, you’ll be ushering and guiding the turtle across the road, not putting them on the mat or shovel and pitching them aloft. As with helping the creature with your bare hands, it’s important to approach the turtle from the rear.

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Some turtles aren’t lightweights, of course, given their lifespan. If lifting or ushering a creature isn’t possible, there is one final method as a last resort. “Gently grab hold of the shell as described earlier, turn the turtle around, and slide it backwards across the road very gently .” When safe, turn it back in the original direction of travel and beat feet back to your car.

And, as your parents always told you, WASH YOUR HANDS after helping. If drivers wish to keep a few supplies in their car for the purpose of moving turtles off the road, they can affordably pick up most items from a dollar store — basic rubber gloves, sanitizer (for you, not the turtle), and a high-visibility safety vest. It’s important to disinfect everything between uses so there’s no cross contamination between turtles. If placing an injured turtle in a vented plastic tote for transport to the conservation centre, don’t add water; while this sounds counterintuitive, water can enter a cracked shell and sometimes an injured turtle can drown because it cannot raise its head.

Ontario’s reptiles and amphibians are becoming increasingly rare. In fact, about three-quarters of reptile species in the province are listed as species at risk. June is the height of nesting season, but be sure to keep an eye out for turtles crossing roads anytime between April and November.