Turtle Crossing: Motorists in Maryland are asked to be vigilant this breeding season

CALIFORNIA, Maryland – As turtle breeding season approaches, Maryland residents are urged to exercise caution on the roads and, if possible, help these slow-moving animals on their journey. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is urging drivers to “slow down” on turtles crossing roads to their breeding and nesting sites.

Common turtle species seen on roads include the eastern box turtle, snapping turtle, spotted turtle, and red-eared turtle. If you encounter a turtle on the road, pay attention to your safety first, and then help the turtle cross the direction it originally went. It is important not to relocate them far from where they were found or return them to the site from which they started, as this could disrupt their territorial instincts and breeding patterns.

Be careful when handling turtles, especially snapping turtles, which are known for their powerful bites. The turtle should be picked up carefully with both hands, supporting both the top and bottom of the shell. Prolonged handling should be avoided.

While the prospect of bringing home a wild turtle may be tempting, keeping wildlife in the wild is important for the well-being of animals and people. Wild tortoises can carry diseases and parasites and caring for them often requires specialized knowledge and resources. Additionally, several turtle species in Maryland are experiencing declines in their wild populations.

There are legal protections for turtles that prohibit the removal of some species from the wild. It is also illegal to keep turtles less than 10cm long. Reptiles bred in captivity or not native to Maryland should not be released into the wild.

Anyone interested in keeping a turtle as a pet can get more information from the Mid-Atlantic Turtle and Tortoise Society, which offers turtle and tortoise adoption opportunities.

The rules and regulations governing the capture and possession of turtles are aimed at protecting wild populations and preventing the spread of disease. Further information on captive reptile permits, release conditions and species lists is available online.

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