Summer is in full swing in Appalachia, and with it comes an increase in traffic through our mountain towns. Whether your interest lies in a float down the river, whitewater rafting, kayaking, hiking into the backcountry, mountain biking, fishing, visiting our lovely orchards and vineyards, or enjoying a bite to eat and a stroll downtown – we have you covered.
In addition to the various activities North Georgia has to offer, when traveling down our winding mountain roads its easy to get carried away and allow our minds to wander when gazing upon the sublime beauty of seemingly endless mountain vistas, rivers, and pastureland. We also have no shortage of wildlife. Unfortunately, all it takes is a second of not focusing on the road to find yourself in a wildlife-vehicle collision or near miss situation. The stakes are even higher from dusk to dawn, when most wildlife-vehicle collisions occur.
To help a box turtle cross a roadway safely, be sure to carry it straight across the road in the direction it was traveling. After the turtle is safely across the road, place it in the grass so it can continue its journey.
Deer and black bear are some of the most commonly seen animals crossing our roadways; however, we also have an abundance of small mammals, snakes, and other reptiles that make attempts to cross the road safely to reach food and habitat they need to thrive. While some accidents are unavoidable, one way to decrease the risk of a wildlife-vehicle collision is to make a conscious effort to drive mindfully and slowly through areas that are known to be high animal-use areas, especially at night when your field of sight is more limited and animals tend to be more active.
As their name indicates, eastern box turtles have a native range throughout the eastern half of the United States. These mid-sized turtles average 5 to 6 inches long and are most commonly observed inhabiting open hardwood forest ecosystems, but may also be found along fields or wetland edges. They have a high, rounded carapace (shell) decorated with yellow or orange splotches that fade with age. Each hind foot has four toes, and males are distinguished by having a concave plastron (bottom of the shell). The plastron is also hinged, which allows the box turtle to completely close its shell, protecting it from predators.
This species of turtle is highly terrestrial, meaning it is a land-dwelling species, but during periods of especially high temperatures, they may be found soaking in shallow puddles or streambanks. The species is commonly found after rain events and during the fall and spring when males are on the move in search of females. They have a primarily herbivorous diet, and enjoy feasting on mushrooms and fruits such as wild berries, American persimmons, and other native fruits, though they won’t pass up an opportunity to gobble down an insect, worm, slug or snail. Like many reptiles, box turtles have a low metabolic rate, which enables them to endure during times when food is scarce. They mature between 5 and 10 years of age, and can easily reach an age of 50 years old or more.
Like clockwork, as soon as a dappling of yellow begins to show in the tulip poplars, I begin seeing an uptick in male box turtles in search of a mate. While mating season heats up in fall and spring, nesting season occurs throughout the summer. Generally, females will hatch one clutch per year, averaging between two and eight eggs in her clutch. To lay her eggs, the female will dig her nest several inches below the soil surface. On average, incubation lasts around three months; however, this may vary depending on environmental conditions, such as the soil’s temperature and moisture levels. Warmer nests tend to produce females, while cooler nests produce males.
Over the past two weeks, I’ve seen an alarming number of deceased eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina) on our roadways and in residential areas. Turtles cross the road because they have somewhere they’re trying to go. Some reasons include males in search of a mate, females migrating to familiar nesting grounds, or hatchlings seeking out a place to call home. If you find yourself in a situation where you see a turtle crossing the road and you’d like to help, here are some tips on how to safely give your new friend a hand.
- Allow unassisted road crossings – when possible, allow the turtle to cross unaided. Do not pull up too closely, as this may cause the turtle to stop moving, change direction, or become defensive and seek shelter within its shell.
- Don’t put yourself or others in an unsafe situation – safety comes first! Find a safe place completely off the road and turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers to slow down. Be aware of your surroundings. Roadways can be dangerous. Be ready to accept that in certain situations, a safe rescue attempt may not be possible.
- Handle gently and avoid excessive handling – the turtle does not know you’re there to help and excessive handling can be stressful. Never handle a turtle by its tail! Gently grasp the turtle along the shell edge near the mid-point of the body. Move the turtle low to the ground or in a bucket to prevent injury by accidental dropping.
- Maintain direction of travel – always move the turtle in the same direction it was traveling. The turtle should be moved across the roadway in as direct a line as possible. Once safely across the road, do not assume the turtle’s intended destination. Place it in a safe spot on the other side and allow it to continue its journey on its own.
- Don’t find the turtle a “better location” – mature turtles have small home ranges and will try to find their way back home if relocated. Moving a turtle from its home range increases the potential for the turtle to be hit by a car when they’re trying to find their way back home.
- Be aware that some turtles bite – snappers and softshells should be handled with caution. These species are surprisingly quick, have exceptionally long necks, and can easily reach around their side to deliver a painful bite when handled. If you do not have experience handling these species, then encouraging the animal to move along passively is the safest option for you and the turtle.
- Wash your hands after handling – this is a best practice that can help protect you from any disease or bacteria the animal may be carrying, such as salmonella.
- Do not take the turtle home – keep wildlife wild! Just like it is never a good idea to release a domesticated or pet turtle into the wild (even if it is a native species), it is not recommended to take an animal out of the wild an bring it home.
