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Monday, June 06, 2016

Drivers urged to watch for terrapins on roadways

SUSSEX COUNTY — Drivers are urged to use extra caution when traveling Delaware’s coastal highways through June and July as female Diamondback terrapins attempt to cross Route 1 to lay their eggs in the soft sand of the ocean dunes.

“The dune area along Route 1 in Delaware Seashore State Park is one of the state’s prime terrapin nesting areas,” said Sally Boswell, education and outreach coordinator for the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays. “Because female terrapins mature late and have a long reproductive lifespan, the loss of a single female means the loss of many years of potential offspring."

Those who encounter a turtle attempting to cross the highway should first ensure their own safety, then pick the terrapin up by the sides and place her on the bay side, behind the turtle fencing. Unlike snapping turtles, terrapins are very gentle, although she may squirm and kick her clawed feet. It is very important not to drop her.

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4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sadly I see a lot of Box Turtles crushed by cars. Today I saw several trying to cross Nanticoke rd.

How car a car not avoid a turtle ? Its not like the Turtle can dash out in front of you like other critters. I can only conclude that they are run over on purpose and that's just lame.

Anonymous said...

Yes, they are out there, I have gotten 3 so far, and they make great soup.

Anonymous said...

I pick them up and put them in the grass. some cars are very low to the ground and when people think they will miss them by driving over instead of around them they end up getting hit.

Anonymous said...

I caught a rally big one on hook and line once & ended up cutting my line to prevent injury to it.