See what others have noticed this week:
Melissa at Daily Life - Bits & Pieces
Karen at Random Reflections
Maggie at: Farmer's Wife Day by Day
This week what I have noticed not only on my social media account(s) but also out on the roads is Turtle awareness. It is during the early parts of spring that the turtles which have been deep in the mud for the winter, start to climb out to find mates, places to lay eggs & to find a new pond residence. One of our local & much loved farmer & his wife, a veterinarian, are very much involved in turtle rescue & rehabilitation. Road signs warning of known turtle crossings are every where in this area as we have a lot of ponds, rivers & creeks; all favourite locations for turtles.
One of the many types of turtle crossing signs in our area. Photo from the internet.
The most common two turtles in this area are snapping turtles & painted turtles, which tend to be smaller than snappers. I've heard that if you have painted turtles in your pond you won't get snapping turtles, but I have no scientific knowledge to back that claim up.
Turtles are slow & take quite a bit of effort & time to cross the roads & highways, so crushed turtles on the road are quite common during the spring migration / awakening. Sad.
Above photo is a snapping turtle crossing the road.
Farmer's wife, Dr Kristen has people that find crushed but alive turtles bring the turtles to her for immediate stabilization before she transports them to the turtle hospital. It is SO amazing what the technology can do these days.
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The above photo is of Dr Kristen with a 30lb, recently rescued snapping turtle. He had a cracked shell but will recover. The photo is courtesy of Farmer Tim's social media (F/B) site. Look at those claws, that is one big turtle! She's much braver than I would ever be handling such a big boy.
Mr Man & I stop for turtles & will help them across the road (if safe to do). During this time of the year we carry a large flat shovel in the back of the car to help pick up turtles, especially the snapping turtles - they bite!
So if you see the turtle crossing signs, please slow down & be aware of one of our fellow travelers in the world & please give him/her a helping hand if safe to do or at least allow them to safely cross the road under their own power. Also please find a local turtle rescue in your area so if at the very least you call them to advise of a turtle in trouble. Thanks.
That is one huge turtle and one very brave lady. I certainly wouldn't be holding it like that!
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to read the different problems people experience. Here we are being asked to make sure that hedgehogs don't get trapped in our gardens, leaving gaps at the base of fences so they have an escape route.
Yesterday on the news they talked about a million species of animals becoming extinct in the next 25 years because of humans - it makes me very sad. We don't have hedgehogs here but I think a small gap in a fence is a small help but could reap large rewards for a little hedgehog. Dr Kristen's 30lb snapper is the largest I've ever seen. I imagine hitting him with your car could do some damage to the car also.
DeleteThat is a BIG turtle! We don't have to watch out for turtles here, but we do have areas nearby where muntjac deer suddenly run across the road in the winter evenings. I guess it's because we are close to Hatfield Forest and they are making their way back home!
ReplyDeleteWe have deer crossing signs, frog crossing signs but thankfully our region doesn't have to worry (yet) about moose crossings! This time of year it is so busy on our country roads with all the beasties crossing.
DeleteI like the idea of carrying a flat shovel in the car so you are ready to help out if required.
ReplyDeleteI also keep a halter & lead shank in case of escaped horse, donkey or cow ... it's part of the country living (col).
DeleteWow, that is a big turtle!! We don't see many turtles crossing the roads here, although there are a good bit of armadillos who rarely make it across the highway. :(
ReplyDeleteI've seen a few armadilos in my travels to the southern states - now that is an odd one. We now have possums that are developing a tolerance for our snow & ice so who knows in years to come we'll have signs for them
DeleteThe most common turtles here are the red-eared sliders (which I never see trying to cross rads) and the box turtles. We always help box turtles when we see them in roadways. They are delightful :)
ReplyDeleteWe do have snapping turtles here, but I've only seem them in the water.
I've not seen a box turtle but apparently we have them in Canada - who knew! I like the more common Painted Turtle, usually we'll see them all lined up on branches or stones sunning themselves, it's almost comical ...
DeleteGoodness! I can't imagine they stand much of a chance on busy roads. My sister in law helps with a toad patrol. A team of them carry toads and frogs across a road each evening in early spring. They are trying to get to the lake to breed. I believe they collect them in buckets.
ReplyDeleteWe have lots of friends of frogs & toads groups helping them out across the road. I have a favourite place to visit that is like a choir with the frogs singing in the spring.
DeleteWe have problems with duck and geese crossing the roads with their little ones, but I've never seen a turtle here. That is one big turtle, and it's good to know that there is a rescue service nearby.
ReplyDeleteOh yes the geese & ducks. Most people will stop & let the geese especially the babies cross. We saw yesterday our first flock of fuzzy yellow baby Canadian Geese.
DeleteI know I said this last time, but it's funny how something will suddenly remind me what different circumstances we live in, for all the cultural overlap, etc.
ReplyDelete... and it's often fun to see how the physical circumstances cause us to adapt to include or maintain the cultural differences. :)
DeleteI have seen that type of sign before. Those snapping turtles can get very big.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen one that big before ... I think it means "he's" lived a long life so far ... at least I hope he has & continues to.
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