Female Missouri River Cooter
Like the chicken of legend and lore, the answer to the question is to get to the other side. But in the process, turtles crossing one East Texas highway are finding the journey fraught with peril and one that could change the very make up of their population and irrevocably alter their future.
Each spring, prehistoric, bony plated animals begin an arduous journey in Texas. The journey, one that has occurred since the time of the dinosaurs, is undertaken by a determined and tenacious animal – the female fresh water turtle.
Since the summer of 2008, researchers from the Houston Zoo have been conducting road mortality surveys for wildlife on approximately 2 miles of State Highway 190 crossing Steinhagen Lake between Jasper and Tyler counties. So far, Zoo researchers have counted over 500 dead turtles, most of which are female Red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) and Missouri river cooters (Pseudemys concinna metteri) that are crossing the road to nest alongside the highway.
Houston Zoo Biologists
The rate of mortality in the first year of our research equals to approximately 115 turtles killed per mile per year on this stretch of road, making the area near Steinhagen Lake second on the list of the top 5 highest mortality spots for turtles in North America. According to published findings at other locations similar to the highway near Steinhagen Lake, research indicates this type of road mortality is not sustainable and will eventually result in a male biased population resulting in the eventual decline of the turtle population in the lake.
Turtle road mortality
The Houston Zoo is currently working with partners to identify possible solutions to reduce the number of turtle deaths. The most likely solution would be a 2-mile fence running along side State Highway 190 to prevent the female turtles from crossing the road. Such fences have reduced mortality up to 98% in other high mortality locations.
Hatchling Turtles
To learn more about freshwater turtles and get savvy on turtle facts and myths, click here.
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