I Brake for Turtles

Turtles sunning themselves on the side of the lake

I’m obsessed with the freshwater turtles that live in the lakes and canals here in South Florida. I will stop what I’m doing anytime or anywhere if I see one. Even while driving, if I spot them on the sides of the canals, I have to slow down to take a look. This is almost as dangerous as texting while driving. I have no idea why I love these allusive little creatures. What I can’t figure out is how they got here since most of our lakes are man-made. Is there a secret turtle pipeline from Lake Okeechobee?

When they’re sunning on the sandy banks of the lake behind our home, these little creatures are so skittish that it’s almost impossible for me to take a photo. If I make one slight move, they plunge into the water.

When I lived in Texas as a child. My family kept box turtles and small tortoises in what we thought was a turtle farm, but it really was just an outside pen nestled under the trees. We would find these turtles out on country roads and bring them home: Not exactly as pets. We found turtles to compete in our annual 4th of July turtle race, where they would hopefully bring home a trophy. I cringe when I think about this now, but back in my neighborhood in 1975, it was a a big deal to have the winning turtle. Throughout the years, we took care of them by feeding them lettuce and berries in the summer. Every winter, they would burrow under the dirt and hibernate. My mother told me that they eventually dug their way out from under the chicken wire and fled.

I always brake for turtles that I see on the side of the road. The ones in Florida are usually water turtles trying to get to the canal on the other side of the road. It’s relatively easy to pick them since I’m familiar with handling them. One time I was driving on the turnpike and saw a big turtle trying to cross the road. I got out of my car and came closer, realizing that this was a snapping turtle who didn’t want anybody’s help. Most turtles immediately hide in their shells when approached, this one had his head out and jaws wide open ready to snap at me. Another driver pulled over, more than likely another turtle-obsessed person, and did a double-take when she saw its jaws. Fortunately, she had a towel to cover the turtle so we were able to protect our hands. We both moved it off the road and down an embankment.

Many freshwater turtles live In the man-made lake behind me. I like to watch their heads stick up from the water while I’m feeding the ducks. Sometimes, I’ll get a good look at them while they try to eat the bread I’ve just thrown in. In the spring, I will see baby turtles riding on their mother’s back in the water, which is a really cute sight. When our 40 year-old banyan tree grows little berries on the leaves of their massive branches, turtles gather around in the water; watching and waiting for berries to drop.

This past summer, my family and I made a reservation to see the sea turtles nesting at John U. Lloyd State Park in Dania. We were instructed to arrive at 9:00 PM and apply plenty of bug spray. First, we watched a movie about sea turtles, then had a question and answer session with one of the park rangers. Afterwards we headed over to the beach where we waited for sea turtles to come onshore and lay eggs. There were other rangers stationed throughout the park watching as well. After waiting and watching for over two hours, I’m sorry to say that we did not get to see any turtles. However, the friends we were with did get to witness this a year before. The turtle tours are Wednesday and Friday nights in June and July so make sure to book the tour starting May 1st as the dates get sold out.

If you are a turtle fanatic like me, here are some of the great places that you can learn or see the turtles in South Florida:

 

Moonlight, Sea Turtles and You!
Museum of Discovery and Science
401 SW 2nd St., Fort Lauderdale, 954-713-0930
Every Tuesday-Thursday in June & July
9pm to approximately 1am
$19 for non-members, reservations required.
The whole family can participate in an evening of discovery while uncovering the natural history and myths of turtles. Adventure begins at 9pm at the museum with an informative hands-on session about turtles (land, fresh water and salt water) with an expanded focus on sea turtles. Answers to questions about nesting, threats, conservation, and find out if sea turtle tears are a result of sadness. The adventure continues on the beach where expert guides will lead you to the nesting grounds. Nature permitting, participants will have a chance to watch a 400-pound Loggerhead sea turtle venture out of the ocean to lay her eggs. Be prepared to walk one to two miles. Transportation and snacks not provided.

Sea Turtle Awareness Program
John U. Lloyd Beach State Park
6503 N. Ocean Dr., Dania Beach, 954-923-2833
Every Wednesday & Friday in June and July
9pm
Park Entrance Fee: single car occupant $3, two to eight in a car $5. No extra charge with park entrance fee. Reservations required.
Meet around a campfire at the Seagrape Pavilion and learn about the existence of sea turtles in the past, present and future. Participants will be greeted by a friendly Park Ranger and will be allowed to browse through an assortment of sea turtle displays. Informational brochures will also be available. Program includes a Ranger talk and a 20-minute presentation followed by a question and answer period. While the program is going on, a scout will set out in search of a nesting Loggerhead sea turtle. A beach walk may be conducted only according to guidelines established by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Park Service.

Sea Turtles Releasing of Hatchlings
Anne Kolb Nature Center at West Lake Park
751 Sheridan St., Hollywood, 954-926-2480
Every Wednesday & Friday starting July 7 through August 27, 2010
8pm-9:30pm
$5 per person, reservations required.
Featuring a one-hour slide presentation and lecture covering species of sea turtles found in S. Florida, habitat, breeding and nesting, identification of crawls and nests, conservation efforts, past exploitation, current management, and problems now facing sea turtles. Immediately after presentation there is a releasing of hatchlings on Hollywood Beach.