Dead Terrapins Next Twenty Miles

There is a sign along route 1 below Dewey beach that reads ” Turtles crossing road next 20 miles”  There are few here and there that have the same saying with less mileage.  These signs need to be bright yellow, because people are running over turtles more  this year it seems.  It is also possible there are just more turtles, and that would mean more deaths trying to cross the road to lay eggs.   Today I saw about a dozen dead diamond back terrapins along route 1 from Dewey Beach to the Charles W Cullen bridge.  That is a short stretch compared to the distance stated on the sign.   The Diamondback  terrapins  are crossing the roads to lay eggs in the dunes along the seashore, which unfortunately for them is also the route 1 corridor.

Rescuing these creatures trying to cross the road is simple.  Just pick them up and place them on the side of the road they were headed towards.  Putting them back on the side they came from will just cause them to have to start all over again.  One issue with rescuing turtles on route 1, or any road, is the crazy traffic we get at times.  On the weekends people are in a rush and there are a lot of cars.  If you are going to rescue a terrapin or turtle make sure you have a clear road and  watch your step.  Diamond Back terrapins are easy to pick up they will not bite.  Snapping turtles are also crossing roads, and are whole different story.  Using a stick to maneuver them into a box to pick them up helps.  If you have to pick up a snapping turtle grab it by the tail and hold it away from your body.  Snapping turtles can stretch their neck and bite you.  This is dangerous for the turtle and is bad for their spine but can be done as a last resort.  Just ushering it across the street will help as well.  There used to be a group that looked out for these creatures on route 1 but they lost their funding.

Unfortunately there are those that think it is funny to run over these turtles.  A friend of mine a couple of years ago was about to rescue a turtle and show his son the importance of helping mother nature.  When a huge truck swerved over and ran the turtle over right in front of this child.  He said the driver honked his horn and showed them his IQ with a finger.  To this day when he sees a turtle he remembers that day.   He did learn something that day his dad said, “That some people are good and some are bad, and that being good is a much better way to live.  I hated to hear that his child had to see that, but to this day he helps rescue turtles with his dad before that bad man gets them.  Splinter would be proud of this young man.

Times like this is when I wish route 1 from Dewey to Bethany was an elevated highway so nature, sand, and water could pass under the road without any interruptions or damage.

If you see a turtle slow down and try to avoid it, if you can, stop and help it across the road.   Because one day you may be stranded in a bad spot and need some help.

Fish On!!

Rich King