Turtles will be on the move after winter hibernation

An army is on the move. It’s the turtles migrating from their winter hibernation spots to areas more conducive for breeding and egg-laying.

This migration often requires turtles to traverse roadways, putting them at risk of being struck by vehicles.

Oklahoma is home to 18 turtle species, ranging from the diminutive ornate box turtle to the formidable alligator snapping turtle.

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) website tells us that the ornate box turtle is one of two truly terrestrial turtles in Oklahoma.

When disturbed, ornate box turtles often completely close their shell.

Ornate box turtles occur throughout Oklahoma, but are most common in the relatively open western counties.

The other truly terrestrial turtle in our state is the three-toed or eastern box turtle. Three-toed box turtles occur in most of the eastern half of Oklahoma.

With some basic precautions, you can safely assist these reptilian travelers, and perhaps learn a little about Oklahoma’s natural history in the process.

If you encounter a turtle on the road, your first priority should be ensuring your own safety and that of other drivers by slowing down and cautiously pulling over. Once stopped, assess the turtle’s size and temperament. Most aquatic turtles like red-eared sliders and painted turtles can simply be picked up by the sides of their shell and carried across the road in the direction they were headed.

For larger species like snapping turtles or soft-shell turtles, it’s wise to use tools like shovels, boards, or sticks to avoid potential bites.

Gently nudge and guide these species off the road rather than attempting to handle them directly. Never pick up a turtle by its tail as this can injure its spine.

Once you’ve relocated the wayward traveler to safety, take a moment to appreciate this chance encounter. The ornate box turtle you just helped could have been 30 years old, while that massive alligator snapper may have reached 45 years of age or older. Turtles are among the longest-lived vertebrates on the planet.

Every turtle assisted today helps to preserve these resilient reptilian species that have outlasted the dinosaurs, and you might consider reporting your turtle sighting to community science platforms like iNaturalist to aid researchers studying these enigmatic animals’ life cycles and ranges.

A simple roadside stop is an easy way to directly impact conservation.

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John Kilgore is the former Greenleaf State Park manager. He can be reached by emailing him at jkilgoreoutdoors@yahoo.com.