While turtles spend much of their time in the water, you are likely seeing turtles on land this time of year because all turtles lay eggs on land. 

Animal Control advises residents to let snapping turtles lay their eggs where they choose.

Steve Pringle is the animal control officer for the town of Perinton. His crew deals with dogs and wildlife.

"We have a lot of wildlife here," Pringle said. "You can see two mallard drakes right now. When you cross the bridge you'll see turtles out getting some sun and heating their bodies up. They love mulch beds and sandy soil."

Pringle says snappers are the most common and largest freshwater turtle living in rivers, marshes, ponds and canals around the state. They tend to nest close to the road or in mulch beds by homes or businesses. He's urging residents to be aware. He even has a snapper laying eggs in his backyard. 

"They lay anywhere from 15 to 50 and sometimes up to 100 eggs in each nest," Pringle said. "They drop the egg in and push it down with their back legs. Then she has to cross the road and sometimes two roads or more and back to her home waterbody to carry on."

Yes, turtles are pretty slow.  Pringle urges drivers who see a turtle on the road, slow down and if it’s safe, pick up the turtle by the sides of the shell, or with a towel or even a car mat and move it to the side of the road in the direction it was facing. 

"They are not aggressive by any means but they will defend themselves if you are super close," Pringle said. "So we ask that it is temporary. For a day they may be in your yard. Leash your dog and keep your kids away and watch from a distance. It is a very neat experience if you are able to witness it."

Keep in mind the hatching period for snapper eggs is anywhere from 70 to 100 days. Those eggs are about five inches down under mulch or dirt and covered up. Soon all those baby turtles will be making their way to the water.