• Drive slowly on Rt. 1 (Coastal Highway) between Dewey Beach and Bethany Beach from May to July. The females will be crossing the road from the bayside to the Oceanside to nest in the Atlantic dunes and lay their eggs. It is a dangerous crossing for these gentle animals.
• Leave extra distance between you and the car in front of you. It may stop suddenly or swerve. If you are following too closely you may be unable to react in time to avoid a terrapin.
• The terrapins nest around-the-clock and they are very hard to see at night. Use extra care.
• If you see one in the road and want to help, use caution in stopping. Pick her up gently and carry her in the direction she was going. She won’t bite, but be prepared. She will be frightened and flail her back legs that have sharp claws.
• Don’t drop her under any circumstance. She and her eggs may be injured. If you are scratched, don’t worry; the terrapin will not transmit disease.
• Adult females can live 25 to 30 years! They will reproduce for 20 years and produce 8-36 eggs per year if allowed to live. Please help them cross the road safely. And keep pets and people away from their nests.

Please watch out for TERP PATROL volunteers on the highway who are assisting with terrapin monitoring and rescue. If you would like to volunteer with the Terrapin Education and Rescue Program (TERP) contact the DE Center for the Inland Bays at (302) 226-8105 and ask for Josh, or visit their website: www. inlandbays.org.