It’s springtime in Harvard and one sure sign is the sight of box turtles crossing the road. Please slow down and keep your eyes open for these slow-moving reptiles. On Tuesday I stopped to “assist” two turtles across Still River Road. It is safe to pick up the turtle and carry it in the direction in which it was traveling. Do not drive it to a “ safer” area, as turtles have a very limited territory and if moved too far, will attempt to get back home (and will probably get run over). For more information on box turtles go to www.nescb.org/epublications/october2000/boxturtle.html.
On a cautionary note, snapping turtles are not safe to pick up. Their appearance is quite different from a box turtle, almost prehistoric looking. I was told that you could move a snapper by holding a stick in front of the nose and the turtle will bite the stick and then you can drag it across the road. I tried that once and the snapper only growled at me (honest!) and poked at the stick. It was a long process but I finally succeeded in getting the stubborn, angry critter across the road—the ungrateful wretch.
Carolyn Hottle
Stow Road
