Turtles are on the move this time of year, definitely keep a close eye out for them when you're out driving (or riding in someone else's car)!
If you spot a turtle in the road, please be sure to stop!
You'll want to get out of your car and help the turtle move in the direction he or she was heading. Turtles know where they are going, and they will turn back into traffic if you don’t send them where they wanted to go.
- Small turtles can be picked up and carried across the road. Using both hands, you'll want to gently scoop the turtle up by holding the shell/body, in between the front and back legs.
- Large turtles or snapping turtles should be handled as little as possible. Wear gloves if you've got them, and gently encourage the turtle into a cat or dog carrier OR onto a solid, flat surface (like a piece of sturdy cardboard) that can be safely moved a short distance with the turtle on top of it.
If you spot a turtle who is injured and/or has been hit by a car, please don’t assume he or she is dead!
Turtles have slow metabolisms and can suffer for days, even weeks, before dying. Test for a reaction by pinching a back toe, or very gently touching the corner of turtle’s eye lid (if possible). Injured turtles must be contained and transported to a vet or animal shelter right away.
This photo is graphic, but it illustrates how important it is that you stop and check on turtles who have been hit. Turtles that are hit by cars are probably still alive and suffering badly. This turtle was still alive when PETA's Community Animal Project found him:
If they're not injured, and not in the street—leave 'em alone!
Thanks for helping turtles!
That was so sad! I will definetly make sure I watch out for my shelly friends!
poor turtles
OMG :'( I have a baby turtle of my own and to see a turtle in that kind of state just makes me want to cry in anger
But turtles under 4 inches are illegal because of salmonella you know.. Wah your hands rlly well after associating with it and I would call someone about where you got the baby turtle, because they're usually badly abused when shipped through the black market. ((i wouldn't mention you bought a turtle though, just say you saw them selling the turtles))
I never knew that turtles have such slow metabolism and can suffered for days and weeks before dying after getting hit by a car. That is so sad! I will def stop my car if I ever see a turtle! Thank You for the knowledge!
that's so sad that they get injured and left for dead. We dont have turtles where i live but deer get hit year round and they too suffer from injuries before dying because no one ever stop or keeps better lookout for them. I hope more people will take responsibility for the animals theyre endangering when they drive! Im glad for the tips. If im in an area with turtles ill know what to do when i see them on the road!
I love turtles. This makes me sad when I read this.
I hope the turtle lives. I would have thought the turtle was dead if i seen it. Good thing I read this article.Now I know. You guys are awesome. A lot of turles will be saved this summer because of this article.
My friend and I rescue them all of the time (ones that have been hit). Most recently I took one to an over night animal hospital. She had a cracked shell.
I just saved a little painted turtle the other day
:O i didnt know they suffer for so long! poor turtles :'(
I always watch out for turtles! I remember one time when I was a little girl I saw a road filled with crushed turtles. It broke my heart. To this day I still can't get that horrible scene out of my head. Those helpless little turtles didn't deserve to die that way and neither do any other animals!
OMG that was soooo sad! D':
I don't drive but will be telling others to watch out and watching out for any myself.
i love turtles! they're the best little critters! i'll keep an eye out for them (:
this picture is just too overwhelming.
poor turtles …
MUST SAVE TURTLES FROM THE VEHICULAR MENACE!
Thats so great! Growing up my mom would always STOP in the middle of the road or highway no matter where we were going or how important it was and make sure the turtles (big and small) got across the road safely!
poor turtles…
I have stopped and others I have met stopped at the same time, and a few turtles (not small ones!) were saved on busy Florida highways! Hell, they will kill you or me just standing there on the roadside, so a poor 8" box turtle will become soup if it isn't brought to safe haven! We put one n a box and took him to a pond and another was released across a road and into a wooded area with water flowing there.
Just better than allowing some idiot who is texting or on a cell or who JUST DOESN'T CARE to hit the poor animal and smash it! It's the least people can do to avoid killing what wildlife remains among us! We have destroyed so much in recent years.
I saved a turtle in the road the other day after seeing this posted in the boards!! It was really bright outside so I could barely see the screen on my phone but did manage to get one picture.
http://tinypic.com/r/6oh2rn/7
That's my bf holding it so I could take a picture, it's not me. Haha.)
omg that is soo sad and greoss i love me turtles!
I LOVE TURTLES!!!!
I have a red eared slider turtle and just looking at this turtle in this state brakes my heart into a million pieces. I cant even image running a poor defenseless turtle over.. Twice i have stopped my car and helped a snake and a seagull (that was injured) off the road..
The worse thing about this .. is that when i was trying to save the snake.. a car ran it over on purpose.. Can you even imagen this..
Well lets just say the ear full that the driver got was very clourful..
Poor turtle!
soo sad!
<3 forever
Turtles are soo cute! I started to cry when I saw this picture. I have two turtles and I love them so much! I would hate to see this happen to them! Everyone please watch out for turtles!
This is a great article with a great message, however: injured turtles found at roadside should not be brought to a veterinarian or animal shelter; not only is it illegal in many states for unlicensed individuals to accept wildlife, but your typical dog/cat vet or shelter does not have the knowledge or qualifications to help. You should bring any and all injured wildlife to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or wildlife rehab facility. These individuals are trained and skilled in taking the steps to help injured wildlife get back on their paws (or wings, or flippers) and back to the wild. They also know when and how to end the suffering of animals that are too far gone. You can find a list of rehabbers in your state through the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association or through contacting your state wildlife agency. Thanks for caring!
I promise to watch out for my turtle friends!
that is so sadd! i love turtles!!
wow.. this picture got me emotional.. and i got even more sad because i have a turtle as a pet.
that's soo sad
:'(
i always stop for turtles, i saw two this year and stoped for both of them i'd rather save them and get saminella, then for them to die, and me feel guilty.
i never knew that they would suffer for a long time, now when i see a turle i'll check .
That's so sad
there was a turtle crossing the road once & my parents made sure he made it to the other side safely 
soooo ironic that i'd find this post. about 2 weeks ago, there was a medium sized painted (3-legged) turtle trying to cross a very busy road my family was driving down. we picked him up. we didn't take him across the street… but by a pond far from any roads. I'm just glad we found him before it was too late. (:
I always help animals across the street-even slugs! Turtles are definatly worth helping…all animals are. <3
Everytime time I have saw a turtle lying in the road or near it I have always made my parents stop and let me help it across. I have been doing this ever since I can remeber.
I am always happy to help turtles or any animal of that matter! That pic is ssooo sad! :'(
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