It’s Turtle Time Again by Angela Rieck

May/June is turtle-crossing time, so look out for that tiny bump in the road.

Last year, I watched a large, imposing female snapping turtle crossing my street. While snapping turtles are considered pretty docile in the water, scientists and game wardens warn us to stay away from a female searching for a nest. This large lady was undoubtedly heading to lay her eggs. Snapping turtles can travel up to 10 miles to accomplish this task. Once she has made the crossing and laid her eggs, her responsibilities are over. If all goes well, her eggs will hatch in about 2 ½ months and the hatchlings will instinctively head for water. Snapping turtles have existed in essentially the same form for over 200 million years, dating back to the time of the dinosaurs.

This turtle, like all turtles, was very careful about where she laid her eggs. Most turtles lay their eggs in the morning. Sites are carefully chosen to protect the eggs from predators. Despite their care, scientists estimate that up to 84 percent of snapping-turtle nests are destroyed by predators such as foxes, raccoons, and skunks.

On the Eastern Shore, we also have terrapins. I believe that our local terrapins are as beautiful as snapping turtles are ugly. They are diamondback turtles, and are characterized by their distinctive shells, which are diamond-shaped and filled with concentric circles (like bullseyes). Terrapins are our state reptile and the University of Maryland mascot. The lucky ones live up to 40 years and thrive in the Chesapeake Bay and its brackish tributaries. But they are endangered because of pollution and human encroachment. Although they have been protected since 2007; they have yet to make a significant comeback. 

Box turtles, on the other hand, are more common. According to the National Wildlife Federation, the Eastern Box turtle is not considered endangered on a national level. However, some states list the animal as a species of special concern, and Maine lists the turtle as endangered. The Eastern Box turtle is relatively easy to spot with its vivid orange and yellow markings on its dark brown shell. Its distinct coloring camouflages it on the forest floor. Unlike terrapins, box turtles prefer fresh water and woodlands. 

Our local turtles hibernate over winter submerged in the mud or sand. Turtles can breathe through their butts. This allows them to stay submerged for extended periods and is particularly advantageous during hibernation when surfaces may become iced over.

A turtle’s gender is partially determined by the temperature at the time of hatching; low temperatures produce males and higher temperature result in females. 

Turtles are important to the ecosystem, contributing to biodiversity through seed dispersal. By moving between habitats, turtles help maintain genetic diversity among plant populations. 

It’s mating season, so, turtles will be more active for the next two months, so keep a lookout on the road for these distinctive and impressive creatures.

Angela Rieck, a Caroline County native, received her PhD in Mathematical Psychology from the University of Maryland and worked as a scientist at Bell Labs, and other high-tech companies in New Jersey before retiring as a corporate executive. Angela and her dogs divide their time between St Michaels and Key West Florida. Her daughter lives and works in New York City.