Area drivers warned about snapping turtles in the road

Driving the news: The Boulder County Sheriff's Office last month posted on social media about a deputy and an animal control officer who each encountered snapping turtles on the road in the town of Superior.

State of play: Common snapping turtles are native to Boulder County, living in ponds, lakes, reservoirs and permanent rivers.

• Their eggs hatch in late summer and early fall, so residents can expect to see the reptiles for about another month before they become inactive for winter.
• They wander across roads in search of their next pond — which is when they end up in the path of cars.
• One turtle in Longmont makes the trip so often residents have named him Elmer.

Threat level: Common snapping turtles aren't as monstrous as their alligator cousins, but can still hit 80 pounds — and bite hard.

• If you like being able to count to 10 on your fingers, avoid touching any snapping turtles you come across and call animal control.