Turtles need a little help

By Anna Jauhola
Each spring, as birds begin their big migrations, a slower native animal begins its journey to permanent homes.
Turtles of all sorts in Minnesota can be seen on the sides of roads waiting to cross. Many times, those turtles don’t make it as they become the victims of speeding vehicles.
There are 13 turtle species in Minnesota. Most often here, we see painted turtles and snapping turtles.
Besides stopping to see a neat reptile working its way across the road, people can use the opportunity to learn more about how to handle a turtle if they plan to assist its crossing.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has a good website on this very topic. It gives information on why turtles cross roads and how to help them. Key bullets include how to avoid danger for yourself while assisting and how to gently handle turtles.
The DNR specifically warns about handling snapping turtles — not only because of their aggressive nature, but that picking them up by the tail can damage their spinal cord.
Regardless of how you want to help or observe, take a minute to read the information at https://www. dnr.state.mn.us/reptiles_amphibians/helping-turtles-roads.html