WILD Fact: Why did the turtle cross the road?

Why is the turtle crossing the road? To get to the other side, hopefully without a car squashing it! Turtle travel is on the rise this time of year as they search for mates and scope out suitable spots to lay eggs. Eastern Box Turtles also move around more after rain, hoping to gobble up emerging worms. Without risking your life or the lives of others, slow down and drive around turtles when possible. On quiet streets, it may be safe to assist a turtle out of the road, but be sure to put it in the direction it was facing.

WILD Fact is a new regular feature written by Linda May, a wildlife interpretive specialist with the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division based at the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center in Mansfield, Georgia.