How to help a turtle cross the road (or the path!)

Use gloves if possible when handling a turtle

1. First and foremost, ensure that you are able to pull over to the side of the road, and exit your vehicle safely. Be aware of oncoming traffic. Although it is important to help turtles on the road, your safety, and that of other road users, should be your number one concern.
2. Approach the turtle from behind and pick it up with two hands in the middle of the turtle’s shell like a hamburger using gloves if available.
3. Never pick a turtle up by the tail, it can cause serious spinal injuries!
4. Help the turtle cross the road in the direction it is facing, even if you think it looks like there is nicer habitat behind it. There is a reason the turtle is going that direction and if you bring it back to where it already was, it will just try to cross the road again.
5. Make sure you take the turtle right off the shoulder of the road and into the ditch to make sure it is completely safe and far away from traffic.
6. Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling a turtle. Turtles can carry bacteria that aren't harmful to them, but may cause issues for humans.

*See below for instructions on how to help snapping turtles cross the road.

How to help snapping turtles cross the road

1. Always approach a snapping turtle from behind.
2. Lift the turtle up using the ‘pizza pie’ method: stabilize the tail with one hand, slide your other hand underneath the turtle from behind and lift.
3. Keep your hands towards the back half of the turtle. Snapping turtles have long necks that can reach around and snap at you if you are holding it too close to its face.
4. If you don’t feel comfortable picking up a snapping turtle, another tip is to have a small shovel in your car to help gently push the turtle from behind to the side of the road.