(by Anita Fernandez)
From May until October, New Hampshire’s turtles are going to be out and about, and this means that many will be crossing roads to find good breeding and egg laying sites, and then returning to their habitats. Please be sure to watch your speed and take special care for any objects in the road. You may also notice turtle signs on the roads you drive. These have been placed by individuals and organizations to educate people about the movements of these animals and to alert drivers of known crossing areas.
If you see a turtle attempting to cross a road, you can help it by pulling over to a safe location, picking up the turtle, and moving it to the other side. It is very important to only move a turtle that is trying to cross the road and not one that is just sitting near a road. Only move them in the direction that they are crossing, not back to the side they came from. This will cause the turtle to reattempt crossing. Also, if you find a Snapping Turtle attempting to cross, you can use a broom, piece of cardboard, or car floormat to help it cross instead of picking it up.
Thank you for helping our state’s turtles stay safe this season!
Come visit us at TurtleFest 2026 in Newmarket on Saturday May 9 to learn more about turtles.
Found an injured turtle? Call or text NH Turtle Rescue at 603-417-4944.