Slow down for wildlife

Every morning, I drive Route 63 from Goshen to North Canaan. Last Thursday, I noticed a porcupine lying dead in the road by the intersection of Route 43 in Cornwall. I couldn’t believe it and just shook my head because this was the third porcupine I had seen that had fallen victim to a car-strike in that same vicinity within a month’s time.  

Why should people slow down and give wildlife a “brake†on the roadways? Many of these animals cannot outrun or suddenly dodge an oncoming, speeding car.

The porcupine, for example, moves very slowly and is rather clumsy on the ground, moving only about 2 mph.  They don’t see well at all, and don’t have a keen sense of hearing.  At this time of year, some wild animals will also be on the move with their young, who also have a hard time making it safely across a road. Large birds, such as turkey vultures, have such a large wingspan that the bird needs to take a running start to be able to lift off the ground.  

Porcupines do live in the forests of northwest Connecticut, but are not commonly seen because they tend to be nocturnal. They are the second-largest rodent in North America, next to the beaver.  The porcupine is easily recognized by its coat of sharp quills — which cannot be thrown by the animal, as myths suggest, but do dislodge easily.

Other common victims to the speeding car are reptiles. Painted turtles, snapping turtles and wood turtles, as well as other species found in the area, often travel away from ponds and streams to find food and lay their eggs. Snakes often travel out onto the pavement to sun themselves in order to heat up their body temperature.  

Many times, the animals that get struck could have easily been avoided.  Unlike chipmunks and squirrels, who are notorious for darting out unexpectedly, these animals are often large, easily seen and slow moving.

If you are driving along and see an animal on the road ahead, please slow down and give them a chance to get out of the way. We are fortunate to live in an area that is teeming with wildlife, but we need to slow down on the roads not only for our own safety, but for their safety as well.

Fred Baumgarten is on vacation this week. Wendy Miller is the education program manager at the Sharon Audubon Center. She may be reached by e-mail at wmiller@audubon.org.