Give Turtles a Brake This Nesting Season

Cars move a lot faster than turtles, which is why it's a very important time of year to be vigilant when driving and slow down on area roadways, especially near water.

The state's 11 species of turtles make their way out of waterways to lay eggs in shallow, buried nests from late May through June, where they are often seen along roads and in residential yards, according to Andrew Badje, Wisconsin DNR conservation biologist. Drivers can help reduce turtle road mortality — a leading cause of turtle decline throughout Wisconsin – by being cautious when driving near swamps, lakes and rivers.

"Nesting season is an important but risky time for turtles," Badje said. "They're more active and they face threats like road mortality while crossing roads and increased levels of predation from raccoons, skunks and coyotes. Some protected species are also taken from the wild and sold in the illegal pet trade both in state and overseas. Protecting adult females and turtle nests in the wild is essential for conserving Wisconsin's turtles for future generations."

In order to help turtles from now and into July, Badje urges people do their part in protecting these animals by driving cautiously, sharing sightings of turtles, and building nest cages that can help keep predators out and allow hatchlings to exit on their own.

The DNR has a number of helpful links, including instructions instructions and a step-by-step video on how to build a nest cage, and a reporting form to help the department manage and protect turtles more effectively. To report suspicious illegal activity associated with turtles, visit the DNR’s Violation Hotline online, or call or text 800-847-9367. To support conservation efforts for endangered and threatened species, visit the Endangered Resources Fund. Learn more about turtles on the Wisconsin Turtle Conservation Program webpage.