Why Did the Turtle Cross the Road?

It’s not the start of a bad joke—it’s a real concern this time of year! Late spring and early summer mark peak nesting season for Ohio’s native turtles, especially females in search of the perfect spot to lay their eggs. That often means crossing roads, driveways, or even parking lots in the process.

While it might be adorable to spot a turtle on the move, these seasonal migrations come with real risks—and a little human kindness can go a long way in keeping our shelled neighbors safe.

🚗 Help with care—but only when safe. If you see a turtle trying to cross the road, and it’s safe for you to do so, you can help by moving it across the road in the same direction it was heading. Don’t try to turn it around—it’ll just attempt to cross again. Use two hands for larger turtles, and never pick one up by the tail (this can injure their spine).

🏠 Don’t relocate turtles. Turtles are deeply tied to their home range. Moving one far away—even to what seems like a better spot—can disorient it and make survival much harder.

🌱 Protect their habitat. If you live near water or wooded areas, keep an eye out for nests and avoid disturbing natural spaces during nesting season. Sometimes a turtle may dig in your mulch or garden—that might just be her chosen nursery!

💡 Fun fact: Many of the turtles you see could be Eastern Box Turtles or Midland Painted Turtles—both common in Ohio. Some have been traveling the same home range for decades!

So, the next time you see a turtle slowly making their way across the road, remember: they’ve got important business to attend to. Let’s give them the time—and space—to get there safely.