Snapping turtles are Maine's largest turtle, and late spring is when they are on

Authors

Ken Textor

Source

Down East

Date

6-1-2006

Pages

76-77, 109-111

Abstract

Snapping turtles are Maine's largest turtle, and late spring is when they are on the move. Though the turtles have survived for eons, they have been unable to adapt to highway traffic, and their numbers are decreasing in Maine. Researcher Susanne Kynast estimated that Maine snappers could be wiped out by trapping, and in 2002, her advocacy led to an end of state commercial trapping licenses. Nesting females are drawn to the gravel of road shoulders and new developments. The turtles have been known to travel up to 12 miles to return to familiar habitat.

Subjects

Turtles

Recommended Citation

Textor, Ken, "Snapping turtles are Maine's largest turtle, and late spring is when they are on" (2006). Maine News Index - Down East Magazine. 3154.
https://digitalcommons.portlandlibrary.com/news_downeast/3154