You've probably heard of pedestrian-crossing signs, deer-crossing signs, even snowmobile-crossing signs. Now, prepare for turtle crossings.
The Shawsheen River Watershed Association (SRWA) is so concerned about cars running over turtles that they are working on posting "turtle crossing" signs in local communities including Andover. SRWA was scheduled to meet in Tewksbury last night, May 14, with signs available for those interested in posting them in their neighborhoods.
The months of May and June are mating season for turtles and the Shawsheen River Watershed Association wants drivers to be on a careful lookout for the animals. Research shows that many turtles get run over in the spring crossing roads and highways to lay their eggs in a choice spot.
Female turtles like warm, sunny spots. Females are typically the ones found crossing streets to find sandy soil to dig holes for their eggs. The only problem is that this warm sunny spot is often across a street, and the turtle could be run over by a car that can't see it, according to the SRWA.
If you come across a turtle in the road, SRWA suggests you stop, pick up the turtle and bring it to where it was headed. Don't return it to where it was coming from. It will turn around and try to cross the road again in search of its breeding ground.
You can contact the SRWA at www.shawsheen.org if you live on a road where turtles have been known to cross.
