A Snapping Turtle Crossing the Road

Why did the Snapping Turtle cross the road?  At this time of year there are lots of snapping turtle sightings, often they are seen on roads or highways, for they have places to go.  A Snapping Turtle will return to its hatching site to lay its eggs and its surprising the determination they have  and their directional sense!  Its almost as if they have a built in GPS.
The turtle we saw yesterday was   very small.  It was perhaps the smallest snapping turtle I have ever seen.  Its shell length would have been about 7-8 inches in length.

There was a lot of traffic on the highway ( hwy #101) and we were very concerned that it might be hit by a car, so we considered how to get it out of harm's way.  NEVER, NEVER. NEVER, ever pick up a snapping turtle!  It has a strong dangerous, strong mouth and as its name suggests, it is a snapper, and it could snap your fingers right off!

My husband found a broken branch nearby and by pushing the branch at the turtle, the turtle was gently urged towards the ditch on the other side of the road which appeared to be the destination of the turtle.

The turtle was not too happy with this urging and repeatedly snapped at the branch pushing it.
But 'all is well that ends well' and once it was safely on the other side of the road, which was the direction it was headed to, it cooperatively hurried down into the ditch area.

Stay safe turtle!!  Stay off highways!