Ever See A Turtle Crossing The Road In Missouri? Watch Out For Them, Please

So this is a true story.  I was driving from Columbia Missouri to Rolla Missouri about 4 years ago.  I was driving there for a job interview.  I was driving down one of those long strips of highway in a more rural part of Missouri, that so many of us have done on many occasions.  I thought I saw something in the middle of the road, and as I got a little closer, it turned out it was a turtle.  I was lucky that I did not run it over, and I was able to straddle the road and not harm the turtle, who eventually made it to the other side of the road.

As we are now into the Spring months, this may be an occurrence that you may see more often.  If you remember anything from your science classes in school, you will know that turtles do not move very fast on land.  In the water, sure.  But on land, very slow.  The Missouri Department of Conservation is urging drivers to watch out for turtles. MDC says many species of Missouri’s turtles become more active during the spring as they emerge from their burrows and cross the roads in search of food and a mate. When that happens, there’s the possibility they could get hit by a car as they try to make it across the road.

Turtles are often hit by cars during the warmer months, but they are at higher risk during warm and wet conditions, which can lead them to cross roadways. MDC says thousands of box turtles are killed every year by vehicles nationwide.  You can read more HERE.   They are simple creatures and believe it or not, they have personalities.  So watch for them on the roads this spring and summer.  Want more info on Missouri's native turtles click HERE.