04/22/2026
In honor of earth day, I am reminding my fellow Michiganders to SLOW DOWN for turtles on or near the road. It is mating season for our reptilian wonders, and as they awaken from their winter slumber please try to be mindful of them as they look for water. Helping turtles cross the street is just one small way to support their survival and conservation.
TIPS FOR HELPING A TURTLE CROSS THE ROAD
(borrowed from the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service):
1. Always keep your own safety in mind - watch out for oncoming vehicles, signal properly when pulling over and recognize your surroundings first before working to help save an animal.
2. Be very careful when moving the animal - it could be injured or it could bite you depending on the species. If possible, sometimes it is best to just stand guard as the animal crosses the road on its own - especially if it is a protected species.
3. If the animal needs to be moved, move it to the other side of the road in the same direction it was going.
4. Do not pick the turtle up by the tail. Some turtles may be frightened and try to bite. Do not pick them up by the tail! This could seriously injure the turtle.
5. Do NOT take it with you - please only focus on helping it get safely to the other side.
6. If you cannot stop, snap a photo of the turtle and post it to your social media with its location. Just sharing the information and spreading the word about a sighting can help us all stay in the know and can help these little guys/gals continue on their journeys unharmed.
