Wisconsin Turtles Are Now On The Move And Need Your Help

For nature lovers in Wisconsin, especially those who love reptiles, this is a busy time of year. Wisconsin is home to 11 native turtle species, representing four turtle families: mud and musk turtles, snapping turtles, box and water turtles, and softshell turtles.

The most commonly spotted is the painted turtle, the state's most abundant species, frequently seen basking on logs and rocks along shorelines on warm days. The common snapping turtle is another familiar sight; it's large, prehistoric-looking, and best admired from a distance, given its powerful jaws.

On the rarer end, Wisconsin's wood turtle and Blanding's turtle are both listed as threatened in the state, while the ornate box turtle — Wisconsin's only fully land-dwelling turtle — is state-endangered.

Actually, five of Wisconsin's 11 species carry some level of protected status, which makes every individual turtle on the road that much more significant.

If you have been driving near lakes, rivers, or wetlands in Wisconsin lately and spotted a turtle slowly making its way across the road, you are not alone. This is exactly the time of year when it happens, and the Wisconsin DNR is asking drivers and residents to pay attention.

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Why Are So Many Turtles Being Spotted Near Roads In Wisconsin?

According to the DNR, late May through June is peak nesting season for Wisconsin's turtles. As temperatures warm, female turtles emerge from the lakes, rivers, and wetlands where they spend most of their lives and travel overland to find suitable nesting sites, often in sandy soil along roadsides, in residential yards, and in open upland areas.

They dig shallow nests with their hind feet, lay their eggs, cover them up, and leave the hatchlings to develop entirely on their own. The whole process means a lot of turtles crossing a lot of roads over the next several weeks.

Road mortality is one of the leading causes of turtle population decline across Wisconsin, and because turtles are slow to mature and slow to reproduce, the loss of even a single adult female can have a lasting impact on a local population.

Some species, like Blanding's turtle, must live 17 to 20 years before they can breed, meaning turtle populations that decline can take decades to recover.

What You Can Do To Help

The Wisconsin DNR's Wisconsin Turtle Conservation Program receives between 600 and 1,000 turtle sighting reports each year, which help track distribution, identify crossing hotspots, and prioritize conservation efforts.

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Here is how you can be part of the solution right now through July:

• Slow down near water. Be especially alert when driving near swamps, lakes, rivers, and wetlands. A turtle's shell is tough — but not tougher than your tires.
• Report your sightings. Use the DNR's online reporting form to log turtle observations, road crossings, and nest sites. Every report helps.
• Protect nests. If you find a nest in your yard, you can build a simple cage to keep predators like raccoons, skunks, and coyotes out while allowing hatchlings to exit on their own. The DNR has step-by-step instructions and a how-to video available online.
• Keep wildlife wild. Never remove a wild turtle from its habitat and never release a pet turtle into the wild, as both can cause serious harm to native populations.
• Report suspicious activity. If you witness someone illegally taking turtles from the wild — some protected species are targeted for the illegal pet trade — report it to the DNR's Violation Hotline by calling or texting 800-847-9367.
• Consider donating. Conservation work for endangered and threatened species depends in part on the Wisconsin Endangered Resources Fund, which accepts public donations.

For more information on Wisconsin's turtles and the conservation program, visit the Wisconsin Turtle Conservation Program webpage.

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