How to Help a Turtle Cross the Road Safely, According to Wildlife Experts

Spotting a turtle crossing the road can be alarming, especially on a busy street. While your first instinct is to help them along, it's important to do so carefully. Knowing the right way to assist a turtle can prevent you from accidentally injuring them. What’s more, turtles are excellent navigators who often don't need help getting from point A to point B. Ahead, we spoke to wildlife experts who shared what you can do to help next time you find a turtle in the middle of the road.

How to Tell if It's Injured

If you see a turtle in the road, the first thing to remember is that it’s trying to get somewhere it has probably traveled to many times before, and may not need your help. "They are creatures of habit and have been traveling the same routes for generations, and roads are often built right through those natural paths," says Peter Gros, wildlife expert and co-host of Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild.

But if the turtle is hurt, there is cause for concern. "Injuries are often obvious, and you will see a crack in the shell or if the turtle is pulled into their shell, and you can see blood below them," says Callie Klatt Golba, curator of Turtle Conservation at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. Luckily, turtles are resilient and can often recover from such injuries with proper medical care, she says. In this case, you’ll need to contact a local licensed wildlife rehabilitator to determine the next steps. (Animal Help Now is a great resource for finding the closest wildlife rehabber.)

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How to Help It Cross the Road

In most instances, if there are no cars whizzing by, all you need to do is carefully pull over and stand guard as the turtle crosses the road on its own. Signal to passing drivers to slow down and give the animal enough space to cross safely on its own, says Gros.

However, if the turtle is sitting in the middle of the road and you're concerned for its safety, follow these simple steps to keep you and the turtle safe.

1. Approach slowly and carefully so you do not frighten the turtle; remember it could be disoriented, says Gros.  
2. If the turtle is unable to move due to injuries, gently pick it up by the sides of its shell, keeping it close to the ground as you move it to the other side of the road, says Gros.
3. If it’s a snapping turtle, only handle it if you're trained, says Golba. "But know all turtles can bite, so always use caution," she adds.
4. Contact a local licensed wildlife rehabilitator or a park ranger to report the injured animal’s location and get guidance on the safest next steps.

What Never to Do

Avoid these common mistakes so you don't accidentally hurt yourself or the turtle. (Also note, if you decide to move it to the side of the road due to traffic, never place it on the side of the road it was coming from—it will just try to cross the road again.)

Don’t Walk Into Busy Traffic

Your heart is in the right place when you stop to help a turtle in need, but take care never to walk into traffic without ensuring the coast is clear. Wait until the cars have passed before stepping into the road to retrieve an injured turtle.

Never Take a Healthy Turtle Home

Never take the turtle home or relocate it to a different area, as turtles rely on instinct and familiar surroundings to survive, says Gros. "A healthy turtle is usually alert and active," he says. "Signs like normal leg movement and continuing to move forward are good indicators that the turtle is simply trying to cross the road."

Be Careful How You Handle It

Don’t flip the turtle over or toss it, and never pick it up by its tail. All of these actions can injure the turtle. "Their tail is connected to the spine, and lifting it this way can cause serious internal injuries," says Golba. Also, never put your hand or other body parts near a turtle’s face, as they can bite, she adds.

Never Place the Turtle in Water

If you don’t know the type of turtle you’re dealing with, never place it in water, as it may drown if it’s unable to swim. Turtles you see crossing the road most likely don't live in water. For example, box turtles roam widely and do not swim.