GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - It's not uncommon to see a turtle trying to cross a busy road this time of year.
Some people take it upon themselves to help the turtles make it across, but there are ways to do it without harming the turtle or yourself.
Springtime is nesting season for the reptiles, and that means you’ll see them roaming around looking for the right spot.
The Wildlife Rehab Center in Grand Rapids has helped 12 already this year, which is more than usual.
That's likely because the cooler beginning to spring and rapid warm ups has them kicking into gear.
“This one just came back from the vet, we took them in and we actually used a fiberglass type netting and we used some epoxy to put a protective layer over the crack,” said Allyson Swanson, a Wildlife Rehab Center rehabber.
The type of repair depends on how bad the crack is.
“There's other ways to do repairs where you involve drilling holes and using sutures,” she said.
The turtles that make it are typically released after a few months of healing, but there are ways to avoid this whole mess.
“You always want to move them in the direction that they are going," Swanson said. "Come up from behind, between the two legs... pick up in the middle.”
With one of Michigan’s most common species, the snapping turtle, you she advises people be extra careful.
“I have either a tub, which could also be a cardboard box or something," she said as she leaned the tub on its side. "My favorite way of doing it is honestly just putting the tub down or the box down and then trying to move them."
She's careful not to touch the snapping turtle with her hands, but used her foot to coax the turtle into the bin, then flips the tub right side up.
But if you don't have a tub or box on hand, you can try a nearby store for one or just use a towel.
“If you have the towel down, you scoot it onto towel, then you can quick pick up all the corners and carry it that way," Swanson said.
She also advises against carrying a turtle by its tail because that could harm its spine.
All of the turtle activity will start winding down soon, finishing up by the end of the month.
In the meantime, lend the turtles a hand if you can.
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