Turtles need our help

#Middlebury #Turtles

The beautiful box turtle, native to Connecticut, is found here in Middlebury. As a species of Special Concern, they should never be removed from their natural area, and if it can be done safely, helped when seen trying to cross the road during their June to July breeding season. (Mike Ravesi photo)

By JANINE SULLIVAN-WILEY

Basking in the sun on a log, gliding beneath kayaks on Lake Quassapaug, or trying to cross a busy road, turtles are a special part of life here in Middlebury.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) says 57 of the 328 species of turtles known worldwide are found in the United States and Canada, and 12 are found in Connecticut. The United States has more native turtle species than any other country – making it a turtle biodiversity hotspot.

Turtles, living in their armored homes, may appear sturdy, but Connecticut turtles are in trouble. Nine of the 12 species, a full 75%, are on the state’s List of Endangered (E), Threatened and Special Concern (SC) Species.

Connecticut’s eight terrestrial turtles are the Bog Turtle (E), Eastern Box Turtle (SC), Spotted Turtle (SC), Wood Turtle (SC), Musk Turtle, Snapping Turtle, Northern Diamondback Terrapin, and the Eastern Painted Turtle. Four of the world’s eight sea turtles can be found in the waters off Connecticut: the Atlantic Green, Atlantic Ridley, Leatherback, and Loggerhead Sea Turtles. Three of those are threatened or endangered.

Four turtles that have been seen in Middlebury are the Eastern Box, Spotted, Snapping and Eastern Painted. The box turtle is pictured with this article, and photos of the others are on the DEEP website, portal.ct.gov/deep/wildlife.

Unless it is on land to lay eggs, the snapping turtle is mostly seen in the water, and is the largest of the four. Some really big ones (meaning they are also old and important for breeding) seen locally have been up to or over two feet long – and that’s just the shell! You can recognize a snapping turtle by its formidable sharp upper jaw, long neck and long tail, with a rather smooth, dark shell deeply serrated along the back.

Why are turtles here in such trouble? The biggest reasons include habitat destruction (for development), road kill (once they reach adulthood), and illegal collection and trade (please never, ever buy a turtle that was not captive raised). Turtles raised for the pet trade also can threaten native turtles if they are released into the wild, where they may compete with native species or spread diseases.

Everyone can help our turtles. Consider: Why did the turtle cross the road? To get to the other side … and it’s not just a joke punch line. Those found crossing the road in June and July are often pregnant females looking for an open, flat sunny location to dig their nest and lay eggs. (See instructions below for helping turtles safely cross the road.)

The young hatch in late summer or fall. Come winter, they burrow back into soft dirt or mud to overwinter. The eggs and young are very vulnerable, and only 5 to 10% survive to adulthood.

That’s why helping a turtle cross a road to get to her nesting place is so important. They should be helped on their way, and always in the same direction as they were going, and always left in the same area. That mama has a plan for where she wants to lay her eggs!

How to help: Please only stop your car and help if you can do so safely. The turtle’s safety also is important. Smaller ones can be picked by holding them on both sides or top and bottom of their carapace (shell.) Large snapping turtles take a bit more care for you both, as they have a long neck and a strong, sharp jaw. NEVER pick them up by the tail, as that can cause spinal damage. Lift them from behind as described above. You can shoo them along with a stick, but that requires a rather low-traveled road as they are not fast movers. Or get them carefully on a tarp and drag them (never lift up and never drag without protection under them) across the road.

If you encounter a turtle that has been hit and injured, we are fortunate to have a highly reputable turtle rehabilitator in Madison, The Turtle’s Back, Inc., theturtlesback.org. Other good websites for more information include the previously mentioned DEEP website and northeastparc.org/products/pdfs/NEPARC_backyard.pdf.

Special thanks to Mike Ravesi (state herpetologist with DEEP), Shawnalee Kwashnak, Pat Bickley and Scott Holmes for sharing their expertise and experience with these wonderful creatures! You can contact this writer at jswspotlight@gmail.com and visit the Middlebury Land Trust on Facebook or the website at middleburylandtrust.org. Happy hiking!.