05/27/2026
The Wednesday crew bad a blast today and met a new friend!
🐢 Creature Feature Wednesday 🐢
Today’s tiny traveler was an Eastern Painted Turtle, one of the most common and recognizable turtles in the Northeast! Painted turtles can be identified by the bright red and orange markings along the edge of their shell and the yellow striping on their face and neck. Despite their calm appearance, these little reptiles are surprisingly important members of wetland ecosystems.
Painted turtles help keep aquatic habitats healthy by scavenging dead plant and animal material, eating insects, and helping control some aquatic invertebrate populations. They also serve as prey for larger wildlife, making them an important link in the food web.
This time of year, turtles are often found crossing roads while searching for nesting sites, food, or new wetland habitat. Unfortunately, road mortality is a major threat to many turtle species, especially females traveling to lay eggs.
If you see a turtle crossing the road and it is safe to help:
• Always move the turtle in the direction it was already heading
• Keep the turtle low to the ground and handle gently
• Small turtles can usually be carefully picked up with both hands along the sides of the shell
• Never pick a turtle up by the tail
There is one important exception to the “move them the direction they were going” rule: if the turtle is heading directly into another dangerous area, such as an active roadway, parking lot, construction zone, or other hazardous environment, it is okay to guide them toward the nearest safe habitat instead.
And remember: even if a turtle seems slow, turning them around usually just means they’ll try crossing the road all over again.
Stay observant out there, especially near wetlands, ponds, and marshy areas. Sometimes the smallest hikers on the trail need a little help too. 🐢🌿