The Roaming Naturalist

Enjoy nature's light show with us next Thursday, June 25th as you learn about our local firefly species. We promise you'll be amazed!
Pre-registration is required. Open to adults & families with kids ages 8 & up. Use the link to register and for details! https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E348148&id=33

In honor of yesterday, help us shellebrate some of the most imperiled species on the planet by recognizing their importance to our environment - especially as a keystone species for our oceans. Turtles have been around for millions of years so let's make sure we continue to give them a fighting chance.
👇🏼 See below for some helpful tips and what to do if you come across an injured turtle on the roadway

🐢 Watch for them on roads
Look out for turtles near natural areas. Turtles are on the move from May to July and then September to October.

🐢 Never relocate a turtle
They have memorized their territories. Moving them more than a mile can result in their death.

🐢Help them across
They move between habitats in their territory and should not be restricted to one site. If they were on the road travelling across, move them in the direction they are heading.

🐢Don't leave them to suffer
Turtles feel through their shells and can rebound from amazing injuries. They can lose 70% of their blood and still survive. Text Arrowhead Reptile at 422-HERP for further assistance.

🐢Never lift by the tail
Turtle's tails are part of their spine, and picking them up by the tail can lead to permanent spinal injuries

🐢 Never feed a turtle
Snapping turtles only snap on land in defense, and only in water when expecting food. Never feed a wild turtle, or even one that is in your care for a time because they are injured.

🐢 Don't take them as pets
It is illegal to have a native turtle as a pet in Ohio. It is also a HUGE commitment to have a reptile as a pet.

🐢Don't release sliders
Red Eared Sliders are sold in pet stores. They are an invasive species in Ohio that can outcompete our turtles and spread diseases. Instead of releasing them, adopt them out to a caring person.

Thanks for reading and caring for our reptile friends!

Happy Arbor Day! We have to do a species spotlight on this gorgeous native that is in full bloom right now in Southern Ohio - Black Locust. Look for their drooping white blossoms all along the highways, in your neighborhood, and local greenspaces. If you can reach, stop and smell the sweet nectar.

Not to be confused with their very spiky relatives (honey locust), black locust also belongs to the legume family and are much more huggable as their much smaller spikes are usually contained to younger branches.