See an Eastern Box Turtle? Share the info with HCT
As we make the turn toward summer, you may encounter Eastern box turtles during your local travels and walks. Harwich Conservation Trust (HCT) would love to learn more about your sightings of this beautiful reptile.
An Eastern box turtle at the Robert F. Smith Cold Brook Preserve. Photo by Gerry Beetham
If you cross paths with a box turtle, please take a photo (the most important documentation), record the time and date, the address/location of the sighting, the direction the turtle was traveling in, and a description of the habitat.
Please send this information via email to Harwich Conservation Trust (HCT) at: info@harwichconservationtrust.org.
An HCT volunteer will follow up to help submit your sighting to the Massachusetts Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, which maintains a database of rare species observations.
This valuable information can help scientists and policy makers protect Eastern box turtles and their habitat.
Famed for the orange and yellow starbursts patterns on their shells, Eastern box turtles can live up to 100 years in the wild. However, mostly due to habitat loss, the Eastern box turtle is listed as a species of special concern in Massachusetts.
What to do if you see a box turtle in the road
Please ensure your own safety if you see an Eastern box turtle in the road. If it is safe to do so, you may help the turtle cross the road in the direction that it’s heading, by firmly grasping the turtle on the back of its carapace (top of the shell) with your thumb and fingers underneath supporting its plastron (bottom of the shell).
Note: Unless in imminent danger, turtles should never be moved away from where they are found to “better” locations, because they will attempt to return to their home range. Therefore, if a turtle is found crossing a road, bring it to the side it was headed toward.
Learn more about this fascinating turtle by clicking here.
Many thanks for your help! With your support, HCT is working hard to give these shelled wonders room to roam.
—Sign up for HCT eNews, a great way to stay in the loop about exciting HCT events, guided walks and other interesting news.
—Your tax-deductible contributions help fulfill the mission of the Harwich Conservation Trust to preserve land that protects woods, water, wildlife and our shared quality of life. And your land-saving financial support helps us preserve beautiful properties that can become stellar trail destinations. Find out how to donate by clicking here.