Box Turtle Time: You Can Help

Early morning. The sun just up. The heat warming the pavement. A box turtle, drawn by the warmth or going from one place to another, creeps forward and settles on the center line as a hurtling truck approaches.

Long Island is box turtle country, and June is one of the peak months for the vulnerable reptiles to be on the move, seeking sandy spots in which to lay eggs. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation advises motorists to be vigilant for small, domed shapes, especially near marshes and other wetlands. To move a turtle from a dangerous position, the D.E.C. says, always try to place it on the side of the road in the direction it appears to have been headed.

Box turtles are a fascinating native species and endure here despite significant habitat reduction. They can live up to 50 years, often remaining within a relatively small home range of a couple of acres or less. It takes 10 years for females to reach breeding age, and when they do, they can lay only a few eggs a year. Consequently, the loss of just one female box turtle can have a real effect on the local population. But, looked at another way, helping just one across the road can give a future generation of turtles a chance. Stay alert.