Don't move the turtles!

[Melissa]

A friend of mine shared this on facebook a few days ago so I read it to the homeschoolers yesterday. 

"Did you know a Box turtle only roams 1 mile its whole life? If it is removed from its area/home then for the rest of its life it will roam aimlessly stressed out... trying to find "home" until it dies a very sad death.

Please do not remove turtles. Do not take them home as pets. If one is injured please mark the exact spot found for the wildlife center. If a turtle is in the road you can help by moving it directly across the street in the direction it was heading. Thank you!

I post this every few months because it's not really known. Many people think it is harmless to let their children take home a docile turtle to play with and release it someplace they see appropriate. I was once that kid. Please share the knowledge." ~Dean B.


www.boxturtles.com/box-turtle-conservation/?fbclid=IwAR2Myow3xvoKJ1ybRhFwNVgXLiwBEyjWlyK9-aHP8ZQf1qgoTbNCF_5Jxn4

[Maura]

I had no idea about box turtles. Turtles have come to our pond, usually snapping turtles. Also seem to have painted. Do you know if it would hurt them to be moved?

[oldone]

I've never heard that before.
We have a 3/4 acre pond. When the kids were young sometimes we'd bring painted turtles home that were on the road.
I still move them off the road if it's safe. Haven't brought any home for years.
I know they like to lay eggs near the road

[countrymom22]

I have always stopped and moved them across the road in the direction they were travelling. I've never removed any from their location. Not because I knew this (I didn't). It just never occurred to me to move them.