Spring is here, and with that wildlife is on the move. We've included these two photos as an example of what you can see on our park road. The top photo is a Red Eft, the juvenile terrestrial stage of the Eastern Newt, and the bottom photo shows an Eastern Box Turtle just starting to cross. Both of these critters were photographed on rainy mornings, though at separate times. Please exercise caution and be alert whenever you are driving through the park, but especially after a rain as it encourages many animals to start moving around. 

Remember the speed limit within the park is 20 mph at all times.

The box turtle photo is "as found", so please note that they can resemble a rock or pine cone if you are not paying attention. 

Did you know that habitat fragmentation is one of the major threats to amphibian and reptile populations? With new construction comes roads which divide once large tracts of woods and other habitat into smaller sections, or fragments. Animals like box turtles, snakes, frogs, and salamanders that travel within their range to a breeding pond or to an area where they feed or hibernate then need to cross roads which were not previously there to reach those areas. Any time an animal has to cross a road it puts them in danger, and especially slower moving critters like reptiles and amphibians. "Herps", as they are known for short, also have a tendency to linger on black surfaces like asphalt roads because they are warm and allow them to soak up heat. 

The best thing you can do as more development is happening in our area is to pay attention to what may be crossing as you are driving. IF it is safe to pull over and do so, you can move an animal to the side of the road it was facing. It is best not to turn them around as they will still often try to go in their original direction.

Thank you for doing your part to keep wildlife safe, in the park and elsewhere!