Road ecology blog: Common snapping turtles walking the fence, Valentine National Wildlife Refuge, Nebraska.

This was an interesting situation. There were 2 common snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) on the road side of the turtle fence and one on the safe side of the turtle fence, all within 10 m from each other. From the trodden vegetation it was clear they had been walking along the fence for a while. Turtles are often attracted to roadsides because the high and dry ground is a good place to lay their eggs, and now is the nesting season for common snapping turtles. The turtles on the road side of the fence may have come around a fence end (about 200 m away), or they may have found a way through or over the fence. 

Common snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) have been walkingCommon snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) have been walking along the turtle fence, both on the road side and safe side, Valentine National Wildlife Refuge, Nebraska, USA

Common snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) have been walkingCommon snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) have been walking along the turtle fence, both on the road side and safe side, Valentine National Wildlife Refuge, Nebraska, USA

Click here for more images of the turtle research in and around Valentine National Wildlife Refuge, Nebraska, USA

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