MNDOT: Watch Out for Turtles Migrating to their Winter Homes

"Why did the turtle cross the road? To get to its winter home. Not a great punch line, but an important warning to motorists all the same."

The Minnesota Department of Transportation is warning motorists that species of Minnesota wildlife, including turtles, are starting to migrate to their winter homes.

Drivers should be alert for these little guys on the road to keep themselves and the turtles safe.

Although pre-dating dinosaurs by several million years, turtles everywhere are fast disappearing today, according to MNDOT. The “hide in my shell and wait it out” strategy that has enabled turtles to weather the geologic changes leading to the extinction of countless other species, however, has proven of little use in surviving the peril posed by fast moving trucks and cars, according to a news release.

Roadway mortality, in fact, is believed to be a major factor in turtle population declines throughout the United States. Helping these typically inoffensive animals safely across roads is therefore an important and valuable contribution to the preservation of North America’s turtles.

Turtles injured while trying to cross the road may be taken to your nearest permitted wildlife rehabilitator.

Officials say roads have been an issue for turtles for as long as cars have been driving around.

The density of roads and cars has increased to a point where this hazard can impact the long-term survival
of some turtle populations.

There are relatively simple road improvements and habitat modifications that can be made to reduce the number of turtles crossing roads. These range from things like dedicated wildlife underpasses, modified culverts, wildlife-friendly curbs, and fences to things like enhanced nesting habitat. These mitigation efforts can be expensive and are not always embraced by highway departments.

The best way to show highway departments the need for protection or at least future planning is
tangible evidence showing which road stretches have a significant number of turtle crossings.

State and county biologists cannot collect enough information to identify all the important crossings, but public volunteers can help to provide that information. The use of online mapping and mobile phone apps allow adult volunteers to submit locations of turtle crossings

You can help identify turtle-crossing areas by participating in the Minnesota Turtle Crossing Tally and Count Project. Learn more here.

Image: geopungo via Flickr /Creative Commons