Help Box Turtles | Clemson Turtle Team

Want to help your local box turtles?

Watch out for turtles in the road.

Box turtles often travel in warm or wet weather. Drive slowly and keep your eyes peeled for turtles crossing the road, so you can avoid them or help them cross.

Roads are a major threat to eastern box turtles!

If the turtle is in the road:

If it is safe to do so, gently pick up the turtle and move it to a location several feet away from the road.

Only move a turtle in the direction that it was heading, or it may turn and cross the road again. They have an excellent sense of direction!

Keep your dog on a leash in the forest!

Your dog may think turtles are snacks or toys.

If your dog gets ahold of a turtle, carefully retrieve it and check for injury or shell damage before returning it to its habitat.

If the turtle is in the trail:

Stop and admire the turtle! Only move the turtle if it is in danger. For example, if the trail is popular for mountain biking, you may want to move the turtle out of the trail.

Never remove a turtle from its habitat unless it needs medical attention.