It's that time of year when Minnesota's roads could become impromptu crossing zones for turtles on a mission. According to the Scott County website, the reptiles have begun their seasonal trek to find the perfect spot to lay their eggs. With nine species of freshwater turtles in Minnesota hitting their breeding stride from late May through June, it's high time for drivers to play their part in conservation by keeping an eye out.
But here's the rub: each turtle casualty is more than just an unfortunate bump in the road. "A mature female killed on a roadway is a significant loss to that population, potentially losing 30 years of reproduction," Angela Grill, a wildlife biologist for Three Rivers Park District, told Scott County. The loss is amplified by the fact that these turtles don't start reproducing until they're about 14-16 years old, and they depend on many years of nesting to balance out the high predation on their offspring.
So, if your driving route skirts around wetlands, it's time to ease off the gas and take in the scenic route at a more contemplative pace. Being alert and taking a little extra care can mean the difference between life and untimely death for these ancient travelers, some of whom have origins dating back 200 million years.
Here's a bit of perspective: while a turtle's shell has pretty much stayed the same for eons, the roads they now have to navigate are a modern threat they're not equipped to handle. Once a female manages to successfully lay her eggs, they're left to hatch under the sun's warmth over two to three months, assuming they aren't picked off by predators like skunks and raccoons.
For residents with a penchant for snapping turtles, be reminded that gathering these creatures during this crucial time is off-limits. Scott County emphasizes that the harvest ban on snapping turtles in May and June is all about giving nesting females a break from human interference. It's a small but critical step in ensuring that Minnesota's turtle populations continue to crawl well into the future.
