Drivers beware: Turtles crossing roads to nest Some turtles must travel up to a mile to find the right conditions for nesting. Courtesy of DuPage Forest Preserve District
Updated 5/3/2021 12:59 PM The DuPage Forest Preserve District reminds drivers to watch for turtles on the roads as these reptiles become more active in the spring. From April through October, turtles cross roads in search of water, food, mates or nests. Female crossings increase in particular from mid-May to mid-July as the turtles make their way to and from nesting sites.
"For their eggs to survive, turtles must find just the right spot for their nests," said district ecologist Dan Thompson. "Some turtles must travel up to a mile to find the right conditions." So adult females looking for nesting sites can cross roads a good distance from bodies of water.