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Discover Nature: Give Turtles a Break

Missouri Department of Conservation

Slow and steady wins the race, but when it comes to crossing roads turtles often lose. This week, as you’re driving down the highway or back roads, keep your eyes peeled for turtles in your path.

Spring rains and warm weather trigger turtles to start wandering in search of food and mates, and they often need to cross roads that pass through their home areas.

Box turtles commonly live to thirty years old, and can live as along as humans. They spend their quiet lives eating plants, earthworms and insects.

A hinged lower shell allows these reptiles to completely encase their head and legs, providing a protective, bony shield. This simple, passive defense protects box turtles from most natural enemies, but cars and trucks needlessly kill thousands of turtles each year. In fact, automobiles are probably their biggest cause of death. The next time you drive through the countryside, please be alert to avoid hitting these innocent travelers.

Learn more about Missouri’s turtles and how you can help them with the Missouri Department of Conservation’s online field guide.

Discover Nature is sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Trevor serves as KBIA’s weekday morning host for classical music. He has been involved with local radio since 1990, when he began volunteering as a music and news programmer at KOPN, Columbia's community radio station. Before joining KBIA, Trevor studied social work at Mizzou and earned a masters degree in geography at the University of Alabama. He has worked in community development and in urban and bicycle/pedestrian planning, and recently served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Zambia with his wife, Lisa Groshong. An avid bicycle commuter and jazz fan, Trevor has cycled as far as Colorado and pawed through record bins in three continents.
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