Turtle Nesting

Turtle-nesting season is afoot in the Northeast

This annual journey to continue their kind has gone on for tens of millions of years. Some turtles, including Snapping Turtles, outlived the dinosaurs. They survived the great mass extinction 65 million years ago. However, their continued existence is at threat. One of their biggest threats is being run over when trying to cross roads during their nesting migrations…

Painted Turtle basking (by @smichalec )

There are 12 turtle species in the Northeast (not including sea turtles). These include the Painted Turtle, Snapping Turtle, Wood Turtle, Spotted Turtle, Eastern Box Turtle, and more.

Snapping Turtle laying her eggs (by Bill Bunn )

Each year, female turtles leave the wetlands they live in to lay their eggs. They lay their eggs in the ground in surrounding terrestrial areas.

Painted Turtle laying her eggs (by Nick Ardizzoni)

Most of the turtle nesting in the Northeast takes place between mid-May through June.

Female Snapping Turtle on the move (by @riselikefireflies )

Some female turtles travel up to a mile (or more) to their nesting site. Nesting site are often sunny areas with soil that is relatively easy for the female to dig her nest in.

Eastern Box Turtle on a road (by Ronald Zigler)

The Northeast has lots of roads. As a result, many female turtles encounter them during their nesting migrations. Unfortunately, vehicles run-over many of them. This happens when they try to cross roads, resulting in their deaths.

Painted Turtle laying her eggs (by @apbitner )

Additionally, many turtles nest right along the edge of roads due to the loose soil there. Unfortunately, this puts the hatchling turtles at high risk. They are at risk of being run over by vehicles after leaving the nest.

Spotted Turtle in a vernal pool (by @mlotterhand )

After laying their eggs, the females return back to wetlands. They spend much of the rest of the summer and fall there.

Turtle nest that was dug up and eaten by a predator (by Jeff Tome )

Females do an impressive job in filling the nests back in with soil and camouflaging them. Even so, in some areas, many nests are eaten by animals like raccoons, skunks, and foxes.

Painted Turtle hatchling (by @turtlerescueleague )

If the nest isn't preyed on, hatchling turtles typically emerge in late-summer or early-fall. In some cases, hatchlings will overwinter underground and emerge in the spring.

Eastern Box Turtle hatchling (by Brian Carr)

After leaving the nest, most hatchlings will head to water. One exception are terrestrial species, like the Eastern Box Turtle; their hatchlings will venture into the (usually woodland) environment to find food and safe shelter.

Snapping Turtle hatchling crossing a road (by @riselikefireflies )

Hatchlings will have to navigate a gauntlet of potential threats in their travel to a nearby wetland. The most significant of these are road-crossings and predators. Predators include many mammals, birds, and reptiles.

Wood Turtle (by @riselikefireflies )

It takes most turtles 8-10 years to reach adulthood in the Northeast. Only a few survive to make it this long. But, those that do carry the hopes for their species to continue.

How You Can Help

  • Help them cross roads: If you see a turtle crossing a road and you want to help, follow these steps:

    • If it is safe for you to do so, pull your vehicle off the side of the road and turn on your hazard lights.

    • If the turtle is likely to get across the road without getting run-over by a car, then don’t intervene and just let it cross on its own.

    • If it seems that the turtle is likely to get hit by a car, you can carry it across the road in the direction it was headed and place it at least a few feet or more off of the side of the road facing in the direction it was headed. Only do this if this is safe for you to do and DO NOT HANDLE SNAPPING TURTLES as they can cause serious harm with their bite and their long claws if you are not trained in handling them.

    • Again, only consider doing the previous steps if it is safe for you to do so.

  • Spread the word: Share your love for turtles and information you’ve learned here with others.

  • Support rehabbers: Consider donating to wildlife rehabilitators; many of them help rehabilitate turtles that have survived being hit by vehicles.

Next Month’s Topic: Raptor Recovery

No, we’re not referring to those cunning animals from Jurassic Park. We’re talking about birds of prey (hawks, eagles, falcons, and owls) which are also referred to as “raptors”. Next month’s Trending Topic will focus on how populations of these birds have dramatically recovered (some from the brink of extinction) over the past 50+ years, largely due to the banning of pesticides such as DDT.

Bald Eagle (by @gkew.photos )