Friend of Animals is shell-e-brating all things related to turtles near and far since its #Wild Turtle Week. It is the perfect time to remind the public that it is peak turtle nesting season, meaning all over the country they are slowly making their way to land to lay eggs in shallow, buried nests.

So, drivers need to slow their roll too, especially on roadways near water!

While turtles spend much of their lives in water, turtles must nest on land, and their journeys to find the perfect spot—sometimes in people’s yards—often take them across busy roadways. Fun fact: the eggs will hatch in two to three months, if they manage to escape predation by skunks and raccoons. We recommend these other tips provided by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Turtle League, on how to help if you see one crossing the road:

•If possible, allow the turtle to cross the road on its own. If it is safest to help the turtle out of a high-traffic area, pick it up by both sides of the shell, just behind the front legs. Never pick up a turtle by its tail, because it can injure the animal.

• If the turtle is not injured—common signs of injury include cracks in the shell and blood around the head mouth or arms—you always want to help a turtle reach the side of the road they’re moving towards, never returning it to the original side. They will just re-enter the road once you leave.

• If the turtle is injured, place it in a shaded area nearby and contact a local wildlife rehabber.

• When moving the turtle, keep them low to the ground. Sometimes, they will struggle while being handled, even releasing water from their reserves. You do not want to be holding it too high in case it slips out of your grip!

• If it is a larger turtle, you can still help it cross the road without picking it up. Snapping turtles, for example, have long tails, and can become aggressive when handled. You can still help these turtles by nudging it along with a large, blunt object. Nothing too sharp—that could hurt the turtle.