4 minute read
Avoid Snap Decisions With Turtles
Avoid Snap Decisions With Turtles
By Annie Bradfield
They’re ancient, armored, and not exactly known for their charm, but snapping turtles are more than just prehistoric-looking road hazards. These misunderstood reptiles play a vital role in our local ecosystems, and despite their reputation, they’re not out to get you.
At Blue Ridge Wildlife Center, we see firsthand how fear and misinformation lead to harm. Every year, we admit snapping turtles—mostly due to vehicle collisions, but also because of swallowed fishing hooks or intentional harm. Some are brought in with hooks lodged deep in their throats or stomachs. Others have been shot and left to die, not for food, but out of fear or frustration.
While snapping turtles can be legally harvested in Virginia under specific regulations, we always encourage people to coexist peacefully with these animals. Why? Because snapping turtles are slow to mature, often taking 10 to 15 years to reach breeding age. Females lay eggs once a year—if they survive that long. Less than 1% of hatchlings survive to adulthood, so every adult turtle you see has beaten the odds, and every one that’s removed from the ecosystem has a significant impact on the population.
Aside from their intrinsic value as sentient beings, snapping turtles are also crucial cleanup crews. As scavengers, they help keep wetlands and ponds healthy by eating dead animals and decaying matter. They also feed on fish, small reptiles, and more, keeping balance in their habitats.
Without snapping turtles, our wetlands and ponds would start to look—and smell—very different. Rotting organic matter would linger, potentially leading to poor water quality, disease spread, and algae blooms. The unchecked spread of certain insect populations and invasive species could throw entire ecosystems out of balance. These turtles are one of nature’s recyclers, playing a quiet but critical role in keeping our freshwater environments stable and healthy.
Snapping turtles are classified as a game species in Virginia, meaning they can be legally harvested—but only under specific regulations. Commercial harvest requires a permit, and while firearms are not allowed, some approved methods like traps or hook-and-line fishing can still be inhumane and may harm other wildlife.
Harvest is limited to certain seasons and daily bag limits apply, but enforcement is challenging and many people aren’t aware of the rules. Because of this, most wildlife professionals discourage recreational harvest altogether.
Still, it’s easy to see how the myths persist. Their powerful jaws and defensive postures can be intimidating. But it’s important to understand that snapping turtles only act aggressively when they feel threatened, particularly on land, where they’re most vulnerable. In the water, they’re shy and prefer to avoid people altogether.
So what should you do if you see one? If the turtle is crossing the road, and it’s safe to help, you can gently move them in the direction it was heading. Just avoid the front end! Never pick a snapping turtle up by the tail; that can damage its spine. And do not relocate it to a new area. Turtles are surprisingly territorial and often don’t survive long if moved far from their home range.
The best thing you can do for a snapping turtle is let them live their quiet, important life. If we want to preserve the wild spaces we love, we need to make room for the wild creatures who live there—especially the ones that have been here far longer than we have.
Annie Bradfield is executive director of the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center in Millwood, the only licensed wildlife hospital in Northern Virginia. Details: blueridgewildlifectr.org.
