7 Ways You Can Help Protect Our Eastern Box Turtles

The US Fish and Wildlife Service notes that due to the growing threat to turtle species, “scientists and law enforcement professionals are working together to establish multi-agency partnerships, identify information gaps and scientific needs, and align resources…” 

Reflection Riding is a founding member of the American Turtle SAFE initiative, spearheaded by Dave Collins and the Turtle Survival Alliance. This will be Reflection Riding’s second SAFE program and we’re excited to extend the same protection we offer to our American red wolves to several North American turtle species. Here in Chattanooga, we’re focusing on the Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina). SAFE (Saving Animals from Extinction) was founded in 2015 to focus expertise and resources on protecting and recovering species in need. As a participant in this turtle conservation program, Reflection Riding now cares for confiscated eastern box turtles, hoping to determine the origins of each animal and return them to their natal territory.

As a participant in this turtle program, Reflection Riding cares for confiscated eastern box turtles with the hope to determine the provenance of each animal and return them to their natal territory.

BioScience magazine notes that “The fate of turtles is especially tragic in light of their distinction as paragons of evolutionary success. They survived everything nature could throw at them from both Earth and outer space (the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs), but will they survive modern humans?” In combination with habitat loss and degradation, illegal trade in turtles has led to the imperilment of more than 60% of the world’s 356 turtle species - the highest percentage of any class of vertebrate.

So what can you do to make a difference? Check out these simple steps you can take to help turtles where you are: 

1. Enjoy wildlife where you find it. Keeping wildlife as pets is not only illegal, but it also prevents them from reproducing, which limits the survival of wild populations in your area. 

2. Don’t relocate wildlife. They chose the location for a reason! Moving an animal to somewhere “better” puts them in an unknown place where they have to quickly find food, shelter, water, and safety. Not to mention they may have gotten dropped off in someone else’s turf. 

3. Minimize pesticide and fertilizer use. Fertilizer poisons our waterways and leeches into the soil where it harms wildlife. Amphibians absorb water and oxygen through their skin, making them particularly vulnerable to pesticide use.  

4. Plant native plants! Native plants provide the fuel native species depend on and are adapted to thrive in your local area.  

5. Enhance habitat. Plant a variety of native shrubs and trees to create different habitats in your yard where wildlife can hang out and be protected from predators. Let leaves stay where they fall and provide logs, rocks, and brush piles as shelter. Maintain backyard ponds in their natural state - they are important breeding habitats for frogs and salamanders, but keep large predatory fish away to prevent depredation. 

6. Record your sightings on iNaturalist. Scientists use iNat data to help understand changes in species’ lifecycles and range. Uploading your photos can help with management plans and can better inform future research. Follow the Reflection Riding project to see what others have found lately.

7. Support Reflection Riding’s conservation efforts! Your memberships and donations help us continue important work like our participation in the American Turtle SAFE program.

 Turtles need our help and every turtle counts! If you encounter a turtle crossing the road, move him off the road in the direction he was headed. Thanks for being a champion for turtles!

Mark McKnight, our CEO, took all the great box turtle photos on this page.