User:NJ Turtle Lady/NJ Turtle Lady

Each year, from the end of May through the month of June, the female snapping turtles that live in the Pompeston Creek watershed begin their annual trek from the creek to find suitable nesting sites. They look for spots that are easy to dig in, and that are above the high water mark. In the past, this was not much of a problem. However, with the increasing development of formerly open spaces, the turtles are finding it more and more difficult to find secluded spots for their nests. This puts them at risk from humans in various ways. People pick them up and try to keep them as pets. This is actually illegal, and the turtles often die because they are deprived of their natural habitat and are not fed the proper foods. Domestic pets, cats and dogs, think the turtles are playthings, and often kill them. One of the most visible, and tragic, consequences of the turtles’ contact with humans is the death of many turtles on the roadways each year, due to being struck by cars. Development has also pushed the turtles’ natural predators into smaller and smaller areas, and fewer hatchlings are able to survive even their first trip from nest to water.

This year marks the beginning of the Turtle Lady's 11th year of research, observing the wildlife in the Pompeston Creek watershed, in particular the snapping turtle population. After the Athos I oil spill in the Delaware River in November of 2004, and its effect on the creek inhabitants, the devastating floods in 2004 and 2006, and the continuous development in Cinnaminson and Moorestown, this research has become even more critical. It is more important than ever that we continue to monitor the population and progress of the turtles in the creek.