As the weather becomes more temperate you may encounter more free-roaming turtles or snakes. As a retired veterinarian from South Hampton Roads, Virginia, I treated a variety of wildlife. May and June tended to be our busiest time for reptiles including Woodland Box Turtles, freshwater turtles such as Red-Eared Sliders and Painted Turtles, and the occasional Common Snapping Turtle or Eastern Black Ratsnake.
You may wonder—why during this time of year? Because these species have woken up from their winter brumation/hibernation and are searching for food or sexual partners. The most common injuries seen were fractured turtle shells associated with automobile or lawnmower encounters. Black snakes are unwelcome visitors at backyard chicken coops, but also when identified in decorative front door wreaths, a common songbird nesting spot and subsequent meal ticket for the snake. Let me share some of my more interesting stories as well as my recommendations to those who encounter backyard wildlife.
- While traveling through rural Virginia Beach while taking our daughter to soccer practice my ex-wife, Alicelynne, came upon a Common Snapping Turtle taking its time crossing a rural road. My less than patient ex-wife went to the trunk of her car and got out an umbrella to prod the prehistoric looking “snapper” along. The Snapper turned around and grabbed the umbrella in its strong jaws. After several minutes of tussling over who would let go of the umbrella first, Alicelynne dragged the unrelenting Snapping Turtle across the road and left her umbrella behind. Getting to soccer practice was more important! Moral: don’t try and win back an umbrella from a determined Snapping Turtle and more importantly respect those jaws. The species was given its name for a reason.
- I had a “client” bring in a 3 lb Eastern Black Ratsnake with a firm round object creating an intestinal blockage in its mid-caudal abdomen. Seems that this snake had been helping itself to this ‘farmer’s’ backyard chicken eggs and the owner of said eggs thought that placing a golf ball inside a chicken egg nest was a clever way to fool the snake. Unfortunately, it led to this black snake’s untimely death.
- Keep in mind that most turtle species, but esp. box turtles, have a unique homing instinct and will make every effort to return to their home territory if moved. This home territory may be a few acres or less, therefore our wildlife intake forms ask for specific information on where the animal was found so that it could be returned to the same area upon release.
- During the spring and summer mow your lawn during the heat of mid-day as many Box Turtles will hide in the tall grass during the early morning or evening hours. As you can imagine, a lawn mower is not a Box Turtles best friend. Also, while driving be mindful and slow down if you come upon a turtle or snake in the road, as a car weighing approx. 4,000 pounds can quickly lead to any reptile’s demise.
To prevent these untoward reptile encounters minimize human-associated hazards and support conservation efforts by creating turtle and snake-friendly yards. Planting native plants, allowing leaf litter to accumulate, mowing less lawn space and in the heat of the day are all good ways to protect wildlife. If you encounter a turtle on the road, safely move it to the side in the direction it was headed. In order to prevent wild reptile deaths it is important to promote coexistence.
