Some inconsiderate turtles insisted on prioritizing their mating instincts over man’s need for timely flights. Traveling diamondback terrapins, looking for a place to lay their eggs, delayed flights as they crossed a John F. Kennedy International Airport runway.

CNN reports the phenomenon happens every year, due to JFK’s location near a bay and wetlands. A Port Authority spokesman estimated more than 150 turtles made their way across the runway, topping a 2009 incident in which 78 reproduction-crazed turtles caused a similar disruption.

Said the spokesman: “This happens every year. I guess some years there is more turtle activity.”

Mating turtles shut down runway at JFK [CNN]

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