PENNSYLVANIA, USA — Just last week, a students at a Lancaster preschool got an unexpected visitor for World Turtle Day: a large snapping turtle in the parking lot!
Experts with Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary found the turtle chilling out under a car near the front door of the school and were able to redirect the confused creature back to a wetland area.
While this turtle was relocated for its own safety and that of the students, experts took the time to educate Pennsylvanians on the ongoing snapping turtle season and remind them that these turtles should not usually be moved when discovered on land.
The aquatic creatures will be on land laying eggs for about two months. Forgotten Friends says that while they can typically be hunted with a valid fishing license from July through September, the reptiles are a protected species in Pennsylvania during their nesting season in May and June. It is illegal to disturb the nest or eggs of turtles in Pennsylvania.
If you do find a snapping turtle on land, the best response is usually none. Forgotten Friends recommends keeping pets away from the area where they're discovered for a few hours, and the turtle will usually be gone the next day. Experts try to leave the turtles alone unless they are in danger of cars or endangering children, like at the preschool.
Females often dig in sand, compost or mulch piles to lay their eggs. Forgotten Friends representative Jesse Rothacker shared this photo of his pet tortoise laying eggs in his backyard:
For more information and advice on keeping cold-blooded friends safe, you can visit Forgotten Friend Reptile TV on YouTube.
