June 21, 2021 – Why did the turtle cross the street? So she could lay eggs in the perfect place which assures that her species will survive into the future.
With a broken heart I have to inform you that early in the morning Grammy the Blanding’s turtle was driven over by an automobile on the road.
Grammy came to Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary 15 years ago when she was found, and rescued from being stuck between wires in a woven fence along the highway.
After a through checked over, it was determined Grammy’s health was excellent. Grammy was released at Shalom by a troop of Daisy Girls Scouts. We estimated she was about 20 years old at the time.
Blanding’s turtles are an endangered species and are very rare. They only live in 10 states in the lower Great Lakes region.
Wisconsin is the center of their habitat. Blanding’s can live to be over 80 years old and can only first reproduce when they are around 17-18 years of age. They lay about 10 eggs an have a survival rate of less than 10 percent.
We are in the peak egg laying season for most turtles in Wisconsin.
Please, if you can in a safe way, help the turtles cross the road. It will take less than a minute to do. Do it for Grammy.
