It’s turtle nesting time so keep an eye out

It’s June and that means female turtles are looking for a spot to lay their eggs so motorists should keep an eye out and help protect their declining populations. In New York, thousands of turtles are killed each year when vehicles strike them as they migrate to their nesting areas. If you see a turtle on the road do not swerve suddenly or leave your lane of travel, but take care to avoid hitting turtles while driving. Be on the lookout for turtles and slow down, especially on roads near rivers and marshy areas. If you see a turtle in the road or shoulder and you can safely stop your vehicle, consider moving it to the shoulder on the side of the road in the direction it was facing, but only do this on quiet roads so that you remain safe. It is not recommended that anyone approach snapping turtles.

It may take more than 10 years for a turtle to reach breeding age, and they lay just one small clutch of eggs each year, so the loss of breeding females can have a significant effect on the local population.

All eleven species of land turtles that are native to New York are declining.

Our area is known for the Diamond Back Terrapin, named for the pattern on their shell. They are the only turtle native to this area that is able to survive in the brackish waters of the marsh.

After mating in early spring they look for warm sandy areas for their eggs. The heat helps determine the sex of the turtle and helps the eggs mature. The eggs hatch in late summer or early fall.

Diamond Backs return to the same area to lay new clutches of eggs when they are grown. When people find them and try to take them to a “safer place” they will attempt to make their way back to their own nesting site.

Dr. Russell Burke, Chair of the Department of Biology at Hofstra University said, “When you see them in strange places they are usually going to someplace that used to be a good nesting site, being creatures of habit. The only turtles you will see on land are the females. The best thing to do is to take her back to the nearest salty [marsh] water, she will try again.

Diamondbacks are unique in that they can determine how salty the water is and can adapt by excreting excess salt, but they need fresh water to drink. However they cannot live long in fresh water, and sadly when people catch them they are placed in tanks and tubs of fresh water, where they soon die. In the wild they can live 40 years.

Baby turtles don’t live in water, so if you find one put it back on marshland, Burke said.

If you find an injured turtle call a licensed rehabilitator that specializes in turtles. They are listed at the state Department of Environmental Conservation website. It is illegal to catch and keep native species.

Cats, dogs, shore birds, crows, raccoons, possums and rats can attack nests and hatchlings. Turtles get caught in lobster and crab cages, and too often they drown inside. But the biggest threat to the Diamond Back is man. Motorboat propellers inflict serious wounds and often cause death. Bulk heading shorelines and building on beach areas leave them little natural habitat.

“The first reports of early nestings were yesterday and today (June 6 and 7). Early analysis looks bad, mostly due to the loss of the marshes. When you lose a marsh you lose a mom (turtle), and that is the worst. If the marshes are replaced the turtles will find them. And the marshes are excellent at slowing down waves and stopping surges, they pay for themselves.”

Burke needs volunteers for his Diamondback terrapin census at Jamaica Bay in Queens. Go to jbtr.org for information.

Box turtles are also in bad shape, and cars are the reason, Burke said. “They cross the road and are completely stupid about it. They lived millions of years without cars and it does not occur to them to change their behavior now.”

Burke and his colleges have begun an interesting side study on the migration of coyotes. “They are in Queens now,” Burke said, “And it is only a matter of time before they cross over to Long Island. Studies have found where the coyotes are the raccoon and other turtle predator population drops, and the turtle population increases a bit. They (the coyotes) are coming,” he said, “There is no doubt. I can’t say when, but they are coming. We are doing pre-coyote studies now and will be ready to do post arrival studies when they come. For now we see turtle populations rise when the coyotes arrive. But they may learn turtle predation.”