Average Guy Outdoors: Why snapping turtles risk the road -- and how to help

A July 3 feature explains why snapping turtles sometimes end up on roads and what to do when they appear in precarious situations. The article describes snapping turtles in Southwest Ohio as primarily aquatic predators, typically seeking permanent fresh water like ponds or streams with muddy bottoms. It notes they can weigh up to 35 pounds and feed on a wide range of prey, including invertebrates, fish, birds, small mammals, and even carrion. Breeding runs from April to November, with peak egg-laying from May to July; females lay clutches of 7 to more than 80 eggs, incubating for 9 to 18 weeks depending on temperature and sex ratios. After maturity at about 10 to 11 years and 20+ pounds, the turtles become top predators, but roads pose new risks. The piece advises against picking up turtles by the tail or grabbing them by the shell.