As you drive along this spring and summer, please watch out for our reptilian friends! As the season progresses, turtles, snakes, and lizards will be on the move, looking for new homes, mates, and places to lay eggs.
Please avoid running them over when safely possible. They are apart of our world, even if you are not fond of reptiles.
Do not take risks to move a turtle or other creature off the road unless you are safe. Turtles, lizards, and snakes all can bite!
Use a long stick or pole to gently prod a snake into crossing a road when safe. Pick up turtles, staying out of reach of their heads, and put them on the side of the road they are pointed. Use a pole or stick on lizards as well.
Whatever you do, do not pick up the reptile and take it home with you. While turtles, snakes, and lizards make marvelous pets, the place to get them is not from the road. They belong in the wild and are an important part of our ecosystem. Do not bring turtles home and release them somewhere "safe" either. Most reptiles, especially turtles, are adapted specifically for their own territory. When taken somewhere new, they often will try very hard to return home, perishing in the attempt. Snakes and lizards tend to fair better in these circumstances, but turtles need to stay "home."
Keep an eye out and be safe!
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