Turtle-Crossing Season in Oklahoma – Careful Not To Run Them Over!

There's not much we truly frown upon in Oklahoma. Slow drivers, the Dallas Cowboys and people who mistreat animals are among the top of the list. So if you're spotting being one of the drivers caught running these critters over, you're sure to catch a few side eyes and disapproving looks, especially if they recognize your vehicle.

Not only should you be watching the roads for potholes and flooding debri (because that's a thing now in most parts of Oklahoma), but now drivers should really be aware of little critters trying to cross the road. Turtles have started making their way towards where they came from, sometimes just needing to cross the road to get there.

This is not a job for the rescuers, either. One of the worst things you can do for the turtles just trying to get home is to take them away from it. They already spend most of their lives just trying to get back, don't make it even worse (no, not even for the county fair's turtle races).

What the good drivers in Oklahoma can do if they spot a turtle trying to cross.

One of the most important factors to consider when you're driving is just how many people are around you. If traffic is heavy and quick-moving, it's best just to avoid hitting the turtle and allow them he chance to keep moving.

But, if you're in an area with slow enough traffic that you're able to safely pull over and wait for a pause in the cars, you can do so and try moving the turtle towards the direction it is going. Careful not to move the turtle too far forward, or in the opposite direction, or else it could just go right back to the road.

Some turtles can be more dangerous than others to handle.

Although many wild turtles can be harmless when you're trying to help them, there are a few that you may want to avoid picking up with your bare hands or handling all together. The most dangerous turtles that you might run into on the road are:

• Alligator snapping turtles
• Common snapping turtles
• Spiny softshelled turtles

You can usually spot the snapping turtles by their large, dark shells that are jagged, long necks, and the distinctive hooked beak. This is both for common snapping turtles and the larger Alligator snapping turtles.

Spiny softshelled turtles have more of a pancake-like looking shell that has the spiny look at the front. Their faces are unique, with a narrowed noodle-nose and splayed, webbed hands and feet.

Instead of grabbing these ones by their tails (which you should never do) or touching them at all, drivers can try moving them along with a rubber car mat or some longer object.