Why turtles cross the road — and what you can do to help them

-

By Joshua Perry, 2022 NECWA Intern

Wareham, MA. June 27, 2022 — On the morning of June 14, three diamondback terrapins were struck and killed by cars while crossing the Weweantic Bridge, the busy Route 6 thoroughfare linking the towns of Wareham and Marion. A concerned motorist, Mike Maurer from Marion, managed to save a fourth terrapin and notified NECWA of the other fatalities.

It was a shocking tragedy and a clear sign that terrapins and other turtles are in grave danger on our roads. The Weweantic Bridge is a known hotspot for these accidents: nearby terrapins come ashore looking to nest and are funneled on to it, ending up in the middle of mid-morning traffic. NECWA is working with local and state authorities to find a solution to this problem and to increase awareness of the bridge’s safety issues.

The reality is that adult female terrapins are running out of options when it comes time to nest each year. Urban encroachment, coastal armoring, and rising sea levels are eroding their available nesting area on both sides, and their little remaining terrestrial habitat is crisscrossed by dangerous roads. These females have to find a good place to lay their eggs, and they’ll go the distance to do it — even if it means putting their lives at risk. Turtles often cross busy roads during the late spring and early summer of nesting season, and it’s our responsibility to keep an eye out for these scaly pedestrians in an attempt to minimize fatalities. Terrapins live long lives, reproduce slowly, and suffer from high hatchling mortality rates. Because of this, the death of a reproductively mature female can do lasting harm to the future of a local population.

Anytime you see a turtle on or near a road, please call NECWA’s hot-line at 508-566-0009 for advice and assistance. If the situation is safe for you, move the turtle off the road in the direction it was heading. Never lift the turtle by the tail: this can injure their spine, which is fused to the top of their shell.

If you find an injured turtle, call NECWA for assistance or take it to a local wildlife rehabilitation center (see list below). If the animal is dead, you should also give us a call — NECWA can remove the carcass from the road, collect identifying information about the turtle, and record when and where it was hit.

YOU can help keep your local turtles safe! Stay on the lookout, and check out some more resources here:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Electric Torpedo Ray of New England

-
Image
The Shocking Ray of New England Blog by  Coleman Earner - December 21, 2020 Dead Torpedo Ray in Brewster, MA Torpedo Rays are a genus of rays that are part of the Order  Torpediniformes (electric rays). In reference to local sightings, the most commonly seen torpedo ray in the Cape Cod region is the Atlantic Torpedo ( Torpedo nobiliana ). They are cartilaginous fish (most similar to the structure of sharks and skates) with a flat and rounded disc-like structure. As suggested by their order, torpedo rays are most commonly known for their ability to discharge electricity of up to 220 volts from both pectoral fins (pectoral fins are flat and expanded and fused to the head area) as a self defense mechanism or as a means of capturing prey. Their feeding strategy consists of burying themselves under the sand and waiting for unsuspecting prey to wander by.  Dead Torpedo Ray on a Cape Cod Beach. Torpedo Rays feed mainly on benthic/pelagic fish such as flounders, damselfish, and other small fis
Read more

Ocean sunfish stranding at Linnell Landing - October 9, 2010

-
Image
This afternoon, Chris called about an ocean sunfish that stranded dead at the end of Linnell Landing in Brewster, MA. Krill Carson along with two NECWA interns, Nick Schomburg and Caitlyn Dionne, headed down or met at Linnell Landing in the late afternoon. When they arrived on the shores of Cape Cod Bay, a crowd was gathering around the ocean sunfish carcass that was just off the beach parking lot. This sunfish was almost 6 feet in length and some of the beachgoers indicated that it had come up on the beach around 2 pm that day. At first, it was difficult to look at the deep propellor scars that cut through the dorsal (top) surface of the sunfish and extended into its left flank. But sunset was quickly approaching so this team focused at the task at hand, that was collecting body measurements as well as tissues from this carcass. Nick and Krill conducted a Level A exam on the carcass and Caitlyn took pictures as well as recorded data. Krill was able to determine that this animal was
Read more

September 21, 2013 - Successful Beach Cleanup at Scusset Beach State Reservation

-
Image
NECWA staff members Leah, Jane, Mary and Tammy. Squid egg cases.  Beach Cleanup at Scusset Beach We had a very successful beach cleanup this morning down at Scusset Beach State Reservation. Over 20 people joined us to help pick up the beach trash along the shores of Scusset Beach, a beautiful sandy beach at the mouth of the Cape Cod Canal. Joining us for this events were students from Bourne High School and Mass Maritime Academy as well as member of the general public. Kids young and old helped NECWA staff and interns pick up and record the type of marine debris that washed up on the beach.  Mass Maritime making a difference.  Mass Maritime students helping out.  This beach cleanup is part of a larger effort through COASTSWEEP, the Massachusetts-wide coastal cleanup that occurs during September and October. And our beach cleanup at Scusset Beach is in conjunction with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), Captain John Boats and Plymouth Whale W
Read more