06/10/2025
From mid-May to early July, thousands of turtles across Massachusetts travel to new areas to find food and nest. You may see turtles on roadways, in your backyard, or other unexpected locations as they move across the landscape to find resources they need to survive.
What to do if you see a turtle in or near a road:
Be safe. Do not risk getting hurt or causing harm to others by unsafely pulling off the road or trying to dodge traffic. If the opportunity to safely move a turtle occurs, move it in the direction it was heading and off the edge of the road. Do not take turtles home or move them to a “better” location – turtles should not be moved more than 100 yards from where they are found.
Handle with care. Most turtles should be grasped gently along the shell edge near the mid-point of the body. However, snapping turtles are fast and have very powerful jaws that can inflict a bad bite. If you must move a snapping turtle, use a broom to coax it into a plastic tub or box. Never lift a snapping turtle only by the trail; this can injure their spine.
Slow down, be observant. Watch for turtles on roadways bordered by wetlands on both sides. These areas are commonly used as crossing points. If you see a turtle crossing, there’s a chance that others will be crossing soon as well.
Report busy crossing locations. Let MassWildlife know if you see multiple turtles crossing the road or if you see multiple turtles that have been hit by cars. Email location information to [email protected].
Spread the word and help protect our native turtles. In addition to five species of sea turtles that frequent coastal areas, Massachusetts is home to ten native species of terrestrial and aquatic turtles. Six of the 10 species are protected under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act.
Learn more about native turtles: https://www.mass.gov/guides/guide-to-helping-massachusetts-turtles.
Source: https://www.mass.gov/news/why-did-the-turtle-cross-the-road.