Other Turtle Discussion :: hypothetical question

[Starchick]

I've been wondering about this. Say you find a turtle attempting to cross the road. Is it better to put him back where he came from, or to help him get where he's going? We have a stretch of road near us that goes through about a half mile of swamp, and turtles cross all the time, and since it's swamp on both sides I've always wondered how you would know the right place to put them back.

[Tenodera]

I don't know...helping a turtle to the place they wanted to go might get them nervous and make them want to cross back over. and putting them in the place to where they started might not be good as well since why would they be leaving it in the first place?

[steve]

Usually people help them cross. Of course it would be nice if the roads had barriers or passages. It's also usually females looking to nest, so hopefully so can get it done and the hatchlings find their way.

[DavidY]

I stopped to help a big snapper across the highway once (not a very busy one). I carried him to the other side and put him down and as I started to walk back to my car he turned around and started to cross the road again (going back the way he originally came from). So I went back and picked him/her up and carried it further into the woods off the road and kind of shoed it away from the road. I waited a few minutes until it was merrily on its way and then left.

[Caelestis]

Hmmm... Why did the turtle cross the road 0_o

[DavidY]

lol!

[scripta_elegans]

I have rescued turtles from the road a few times, and they generally ran away from me as soon as I put them down.

[DavidY]

Hmm, maybe the snapper was trying to attack me.

[scripta_elegans]

Nah. He was trying to follow you home David!

[Tenodera]

" Take me home David!" Who could resist those dark, murderous reptilian eyes?

lol

[steve]

Who could resist those dark, murderous reptilian eyes?

Are you referring to the snapper?

[DavidY]

lol!

[industrial_girl_2000]

I recently had to deal with this issue. I saw a turtle on the road, pulled over in the next safe area, then picked up the turtle (female painted who was extremely unhappy that I picked her up, LOL), took her to a nearby pond & dropped her in. She was headed towards a swampy pond area which unfortunately dried up this summer. So I took her to a place I knew she would be safe.