Hundreds of turtle eggs in the care of Dane County Humane Society

Chris Lueneburg by Chris Lueneburg

The Dane County Humane Society is incubating more than 300 turtle eggs as turtle nesting season begins.

During this time, turtles are on the move, moving away from ponds to find nesting locations, leaving them exposed. Turtles oftentimes cross roads, and are prone to be hit by cars.

“If you do find a turtle in the road and it is safe for you to do so, you want to move the turtle off the road in the direction it was going,” said Paige Pederson, a wildlife rehabilitator at the Dane County Humane Society. “Keep in mind that it’s likely a female that could be going to nest. So even if she’s moving away from water, you want to move her in that direction.”

The Turtle eggs currently in their possession will spend 60 to 90 days in the incubator before hatching. The Humane Society will care for the hatchlings for a week to help them transition to the outdoors.

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