Turtle Surprise!

This week we had a surprise visitor to our recess playground - a baby painted turtle! This little critter was luckily spotted by a 1-2 kid before it got stepped on amidst the many, many feet running around the field. 

Though turtles are largely aquatic animals, they are a member of the reptile family which means they need to lay their eggs on dry land. This youngster had recently emerged from the nest dug into the ground by its mother and was trying to pick its way to the water.

Mrs. A. gave the turtle a helping hand by gently picking it up and bringing it down to release it in Morse's Pond - out of the danger of soccer balls and tag games. And then she thoroughly washed her hands as contact with turtles can carry Salmonella!

In the wild, painted turtle eggs normally hatch in the fall but the hatchlings usually remain in the nest over winter, then dig their way out in spring. You might spot one in your yard or a local habitat area between mid-May and early July. If you spot a baby turtle in trouble near you, ask a grown up to help you bring it to the nearest natural water source and then scrub your hands.

Enjoy the pictures below of our foundling turtle!