Female northern diamondback #terrapins are emerging from their saltmarsh habitat to seek out suitable nesting areas. If you help them across the road then put them in the direction they are heading and don't move them long distances!
If you find a terrapin or any turtle crossing the road use these steps to help it cross safely:
• Stay safe. Never put yourself at risk! Make sure that you do not endanger yourself, or others, by walking into traffic.
• When safe to do so, pull your car over and onto the shoulder, if possible. Turn on your hazard signals.
• When safe to enter the roadway, approach the turtle and pick it up by grabbing its shell with both hands between its front and hind legs. HOLD ON – They have strong legs!
• It is important that you move the turtle in the direction that it is heading. They are not always headed directly towards water. They will turn around if you put them in the wrong direction, so work with their instincts.
• Place the terrapin off the road onto the soft shoulder (dirt or grass).
• Please do not move a terrapin long distances to “somewhere safe!” They have very small home ranges and moving them will only hurt them.
#wildlifenj #turtle #beterrapinaware
• Stay safe. Never put yourself at risk! Make sure that you do not endanger yourself, or others, by walking into traffic.
• When safe to do so, pull your car over and onto the shoulder, if possible. Turn on your hazard signals.
• When safe to enter the roadway, approach the turtle and pick it up by grabbing its shell with both hands between its front and hind legs. HOLD ON – They have strong legs!
• It is important that you move the turtle in the direction that it is heading. They are not always headed directly towards water. They will turn around if you put them in the wrong direction, so work with their instincts.
• Place the terrapin off the road onto the soft shoulder (dirt or grass).
• Please do not move a terrapin long distances to “somewhere safe!” They have very small home ranges and moving them will only hurt them.
#wildlifenj #turtle #beterrapinaware
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