Florida man catches soft shell turtle using the sidewalk as HOV lane in rain storm. Um, now what?

The rain apparently opened up Florida's newest HOV lane, and one brave turtle was ready to take advantage.

Florida TikToker Loubrealtor (@loubrealtor) posted the unlikely commuter in the aftermath of a storm. In the clip, a softshell turtle swims through a shallow strip of rainwater running down a sidewalk. The video has racked up more than 260,000 views.

Seeing a sizable aquatic turtle booking it down a flooded pathway raises obvious questions. Is it lost? And are you supposed to do anything about it?

Should you help a turtle you find on the road? 

If a turtle is safely making its way along a roadside, it's reasonable to assume it doesn't need help.

However, if it's attempting to cross a road and is in immediate danger, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) says you can help a turtle cross as long as it's safe to do so.

It notes that “it's important to only move the turtle in the direction it was heading and release it once it is safe.”

That means don't take it back to where it came from and definitely don't relocate it, “even if it appears there isn't appropriate habitat for it nearby.” 

This is especially important with Florida's softshell turtles as the state combats turtle fraservirus 1, a fatal virus affecting freshwater turtles in Florida.  

“To avoid spreading the virus, the public is asked to avoid capturing, transporting or releasing turtles in new locations, even if they appear healthy,” the Wildlife Society says.

Florida softshell turtles can bite

In this particular case, Loubrealtor found a softshell turtle, which is known for its pancake-like shell and long neck. So, are they safe to pick up?

Not usually. The FWC warns that they “can deliver a powerful bite.”

The University of Florida's extension service says that there are two types of long-necked turtles known for their bites: snapping and softshell.

The university links to a Toronto Zoo YouTube video as a demo for handling a long-necked turtle. In it, a handler shifts a large snapping turtle onto a car floor mat by its back and drags it to the side of the road.

In general, turtles can do “serious damage” with their beaks. Picking one up without prior experience can put undue risk on oneself. For that reason, it's better not to be a traffic cop by delaying a busy turtle.

‘Bro Using the HOV Lane'

Viewers were delighted with the turtle's determined commute.

“Bro using the HOV lane,” joked one commenter.

“awwww do u think he's having fun” asked another.

A third wrote, “kinda rude you didnt at least say hi or smth.”

@loubrealtor

Subplot News reached out to Loubrealtor via TikTok direct message for comment.

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