Wildlife

Snapping Turtle Road Mortality

Snapping turtles are killed in large numbers on roads during nesting season, with females being especially vulnerable as they travel to find nesting sites.

Key Facts

Female snapping turtles travel up to one kilometer to find nesting sites
Road mortality disproportionately affects reproductive females reducing population growth
Snapping turtles have been inhabiting North America for over 90 million years
Recovery from road mortality is slow due to the turtles late reproductive maturity

Welfare Considerations

Turtles struck by vehicles experience traumatic injuries and prolonged deaths. Because they mature slowly and reproduce late, losing adult females has outsized impacts on population recovery. Road crossing assistance during nesting season directly saves lives and prevents significant suffering. Wildlife crossing infrastructure provides long-term solutions.

What You Can Do

Assist snapping turtles crossing roads safely moving them in their direction of travel
Never remove turtles far from where they were found
Support wildlife crossing infrastructure near turtle nesting areas
Report injured turtles to wildlife rehabilitation centers