Latest news with #VermontReptileandAmphibianAtlas
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Drivers reminded to slow down for turtles
MONTPELIER, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) – Vermont's turtles are on the move as we enter late spring, and the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is asking for the public's help in keeping them safe. 'Turtles are usually slow to move, so they have a tough time safely crossing roads. If you spot a turtle on the road, please consider helping it across but be sure you're in a safe spot to pull over and get out of your car. Human safety comes first,' said VTF&W herpetologist Luke Groff. Exciting 'Forever Home' announcement revealed! 'If you're going to move a turtle off the road, always move it in the direction it was traveling. They know where they're going.' Female turtles will soon be looking for places to lay their eggs, and they can choose inconvenient or dangerous locations such as gravel parking lots and driveways. Most turtles can be safely picked up and carried, but snapping turtles have a powerful bite, so people should be alert. Snapping turtles are often larger turtles without colorful markings. Instead of using your hands, snappers can be safely lifted with a shovel or pulled across roads on a piece of cardboard. Anyone interested in learning more about turtle breeds and animal safety can check out the VTF&W website or the Vermont Reptile and Amphibian Atlas. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
VT wildlife department warns against taking wild turtles
MONTPELIER, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) – The Vermont Fish and Wildlife department warns that common wild turtles in Vermont, including painted turtles and snapping turtles, are not suitable pets. Luke Groff, a VTF&W herpetologist, says that 'Capturing a wild turtle, even if only for a short time, is not only bad for that individual but it could hurt turtle populations as well. 'Releasing captured turtles back into the wild can spread wildlife diseases and also affect the genetics of the local population.' Removing turtles from the wild can have major consequences, especially in May and June during egg-laying season for some species. The most common wild turtles in the state are snapping turtles and painted turtles, but rarer species also exist. Wood turtles, which remain in Vermont in small numbers, have reportedly lived in the area for 10,000 years. All varieties of turtles, regardless of appearance or type, should not be removed from their habitats. Anyone interested in learning more about turtle breeds and animal safety can check out the VTF&W website or the Vermont Reptile and Amphibian Atlas. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Why Vermont drivers should slow down for frogs and salamanders
MONTPELIER, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) – Vermont's Fish and Wildlife department is reminding drivers to slow down near areas that frogs and salamanders may be crossing through this spring. Many Vermont amphibians will migrate in early spring to breed and lay eggs, typically in wetland or ponds. This annual occurrence coincides with thawing soil, consistent rainfall and warm evening temperatures. This natural event is known as the Big Night. Fish and Wildlife herpetologist Luke Groff encourages Vermonters to report amphibian breeding activity to the Vermont Reptile and Amphibian Atlas, with pictures if it is safe to do so. All information is used by Fish and Wildlife and the Agency of Transportation to track areas that may need wildlife passages and barriers. Additional information can be found on the Vermont Fish and Wildlife website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
