One morning, Meagan Doyle’s husband, Tom, thought he was just heading out for work—until he stumbled upon an unexpected scene. Scattered across their driveway were dozens of baby snapping turtles, all in need of a helping hand.
“My first reaction was excitement,” Doyle told The Dodo. “I’ve always loved turtles, and seeing so many tiny babies was heartwarming and adorable!”
The initial thrill quickly turned to a scramble as the couple realized just how many turtles there were. They found the little hatchlings not only on the driveway but also in the grass, on the back patio, and even a few in the garage.
“We checked around the yard for a nest but couldn’t locate one,” Doyle said. “They were coming from every direction, so it wasn’t clear where they had started.”
Living near a busy road, the couple knew the tiny turtles were at serious risk from passing cars. Carefully, they gathered the hatchlings into a box and carried them to a nearby pond to release them safely.
“When we reached the pond, we set them at the water’s edge, and they immediately knew what to do,” Doyle said. “Most swam away, while a few dug into the mud to hide.”
The couple thought their work was done—until they returned home and discovered even more hatchlings waiting in the driveway. By the end of the morning, they had rescued and safely relocated a total of 43 baby snapping turtles.
“It wasn’t how we expected to start the day, but it quickly became the highlight,” Doyle said. “Snapping turtles are so cool and beautiful—it made me so happy to help them.”
