Keeping Turtles Wild
May and June are peak nesting season for Ohio’s 11 turtle species! Turtles begin nesting in the spring and early summer and lay eggs. Most of Ohio’s turtle species are aquatic or semi-aquatic, residing in wetlands, lakes, ponds, streams, and rivers. The Eastern box turtle is the most terrestrial of the turtles, spending most of its life in moist woodlands.
You may encounter more turtles during this period, especially when they are crossing roadways. While it is okay to assist a turtle crossing a road, your own safety when doing this is a priority. Be sure to move the turtle in the direction it is travelling, otherwise it may turn back around and cross the road again.
It is also extremely important to remember that wild turtles are not pets! Wild turtles brought into captivity are at increased risk of being exposed to diseases and captivity might disrupt their natural cycles. If you release a captive wild turtle, be sure to release it in the same area it was taken from. Box Turtles are especially accustomed to a specific home range, and moving these turtles to habitat you think might be more suitable could result in population loss.
Learn more about Ohio's turtles: http://ow.ly/6dSF30oxZL1
Tips on how to PREVENT danger to wild turtles: wildohio.gov/staywild