Maritime Aquarium Cautions Area Residents About Turtles On The Move

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is asking folks to be mindful of turtles on the move at this time of year, and only to interact with them if necessary.

Barrett Christie, director of Animal Husbandry, said several recent well-meaning callers have “rescued” hatchling diamondback terrapins, a protected coastal species. One hatchling was even delivered to the Aquarium.

“Often, upon being handled by humans or brought in to human care, turtles cannot be returned to their natural habitats,” Christie said. 

“We’re glad that people are concerned for the welfare of turtles as they find them, but it’s important to know what to do and what not to do.”

Listed in Connecticut as a Species of Special Concern, diamondback terrapins are the state’s only turtle that spends their lives in the brackish waters of Long Island Sound’s tidal rivers and marshes. 

Hatchlings might be encountered now heading for the water, from shoreline nests.

“Hatchlings are small and adorable, but the best thing to do is to just let them be on their way,” Christie said. 

“The only help they might need is to be safely carried across a road in the direction they were heading. But first, you should make sure that you’re not putting yourself at risk by stopping on the road.”

That advice also holds true for Connecticut’s freshwater turtles, whose females look for places on land to lay their eggs in spring. 

Of particular note are snapping turtles, which can deliver a powerful maiming bite.

“If you come across a snapping turtle on a road, do not try to pick it up,” Christie said. “Even if you think your hands are safely out of its reach, snapping turtles’ necks can extend much further than you expect. The best thing to do is find a long stick to nudge it across the road in the direction it was facing.”

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, which displays diamondback terrapins, spotted turtles, painted turtles, and Eastern box turtles. Sea turtles on exhibit are one loggerhead and two green sea turtles.

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