The Near Wreck of the Turtle: | Wonder of Everyday Nature

With many apologies to Gordon Lightfoot… And some of you who could definitely write this better 
 Dorothy Boorse June 12, 2019
  
 The legend lives on from the administration on down
 About the turtle named Dora 
  
 She walked from the mud, wandered through the reeds, 
 And became a famous  explorer
  
 Chrysemys picta her name, Painted turtle the same
 She’d been basking and sunning all day
  
 'Til suddenly an unstoppable urge 
 Said, “eggs! I just need to lay!”

Found in the middle of a parking lot road. Not a good place for a turtle.

“I’ll cross this strip, dig a hole in the ground,
Lay those cream eggs in a nest

Walk back to the pond, and lay on a log
To take a much-needed rest”

After walking ten feet, as slow as could be
A car drove too close for comfort

Driver hopped out, picked her up and could see
Her withdrawing both head and foot

Painted had her head and legs out initially but tried to hide when she was picked up. She is completely safe to hold. Snapping turtles are the one species you want to be extra cautious with. Put a stick in their mouth and when they snap on it, carry them over to safety. Do not drag them and never pick up a turtle by its tail. If a snapper is larger, you might want to have help and to put a shirt or canvas bag over their head.

So Painted was moved in the direction she wished
The best idea for safety

And that is the tale of a reptile slow
Who is not well adapted to roadways.

Driving around, be cautious and care
To save painted turtles from squashing

It’s dangerous indeed, with a wish and a prayer,
To attempt such a dangerous crossing.