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© Lora Denis
May 23, 2019–Emma Horrigan & Dr. Julia Riley
Frequently Asked Questions•Reptiles and Amphibians•Species at Risk
Nesting snapping turtle © Julia Riley
Turtles, often referred to as modern day dinosaurs, with their distinctive domed, bony shell, are easy to recognize. This unique armoured architecture provides turtles with protection from predators. However, despite their protective shells, seven of Ontario’s eight species of turtles are currently listed as species at-risk under the Ontario Endangered Species Act, 2007, and face ongoing threats including habitat loss and fragmentation, road mortality, and increased nest predation.
In Ontario, turtle nesting season can begin as early as May and can last until mid-July, depending on the year and location (Figure 1). Female turtles select nesting sites based on numerous factors, including: soil characteristics (sites with loose, sandy substrate) and exposure to the sun. Beaches, shorelines and the shoulders of roads are often selected as nesting sites for these reasons. Nesting along roads can result in high rates of turtle mortality, as female turtles expose themselves to a direct threat (vehicle traffic) while trying to access road shoulders to lay their eggs.
Across the province, hatchling turtles typically emerge from their nests in mid-August through to September. While this is the case for many turtle species, some species, such as Painted and Map Turtles, spend the winter in their nest chamber after hatching from their eggs and don’t emerge from the nest until April or May the following spring! If you are wondering what you can do to help Ontario’s turtles, read on to find out the most frequently asked questions related to turtle nests and the practical stewardship actions you can take:
1. In the spring, I see lots of turtles on the road or road shoulder. What can I do?
During this time of year you are seeing more turtles, especially females, as they are searching for a nesting location. Sometimes female turtles will cross a road to access a wetland, or are searching for a nesting site on or nearby a road (Figure 2).
If the turtle has not started nesting yet and is on the road, and keeping your own safety in mind, move the turtle off the road in the direction it was headed. Step-by-step video instructions on how to move turtles can be viewed here. Apart from moving turtles off roads and out of harm’s way, it is illegal to capture and move any of Ontario’s turtle species. Turtles should never be transported to new locations, even if the habitat where the turtle is headed does not look ideal.
All turtle sightings can also be reported to the Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas (Atlas). The Atlas is a citizen science project that tracks distribution and spatial trends of reptiles and amphibians across the province, over time.
2. I have found a female turtle nesting beside the road. What can I do?
After you have safely pulled off of the road, keep your distance away from the female (at least 10 metres) to ensure that the nesting process is not disturbed. The nesting process involves: searching for the nest location, digging the nest, laying the eggs, and burying the nest. Depending on the species, temperature, and individual, turtle nesting can last anywhere from 10 minutes to 1 hour. After the female has covered her nest, observe the direction she heads. If she tries to move across the road follow the directions outlined in question 1.
3. I have come across a female turtle nesting (somewhere other than on a road) or searching for an appropriate nesting location. What can I do?
Take care to observe the female turtle from a distance (at least 10 metres) to minimize disturbing the nesting process. If a female is spooked repeatedly, or in a way that is very stressful, she may end up ‘laying’ her eggs in the water. Retaining the eggs can be harmful to the female, and if the eggs are laid in water they will not survive.
In most cases, there is no reason to engage with the female turtle or her eggs. Sometimes there are exceptions (e.g. landscaping or renovation projects that lead to the destruction of a nest) and in these cases you should contact your local Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) office or the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre. They will try to work with you to find a solution that works for everyone.
Another exception is when a large number of predators (i.e. foxes, racoons, wolves, crows) are known to be near your house or cottage (Figure 3). In this case, covering a nest with a cage may help to protect it from predation during incubation.
4. I have come across a female turtle nesting somewhere other than on a road. There are a large number of predators (i.e. foxes, racoons, wolves, crows) known to be near the nesting location. What should I do?
Before deciding to interfere with a nest, there are a few questions you should ask yourself first.
Is a cage necessary? Generally, experts would recommend you think carefully about whether or not a protective cage is necessary. The predation of turtle nests is a part of nature and provides a food source for many predators, and turtle populations are adapted to relatively high levels of nest predation. However, in many parts of Ontario, populations of nest predators are much higher than they would have been historically due to human activities (e.g. cities support unnaturally high racoon populations). In areas with large populations of “subsidized predators”, nest predation rates may by unsustainably high over the long term, and management actions, such as nest protection, may be warranted. Keeping this in mind, the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (OTCC) or other turtle experts can help to determine if and when nest caging may be appropriate.
If the nest is in a natural area, do not cage the nest. Many parks manage their own turtle populations with practices determined through years of scientific study. Furthermore, an authorization from the park is often required to conduct monitoring, research or other conservation activities such as nest caging.
If you do decide to protect a turtle nest with a cage, we recommend the following guidelines:
Authorizations under the Ontario Endangered Species Act and Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act may be required if these guidelines are not adhered to (e.g. if the nest environment is altered in any way, or if the cage does not allow the hatchlings to leave on their own).
Setting up effective nest caging takes a lot of time and consideration, so please think carefully before taking on this responsibility.
5. I have found a turtle hatchling emerging from its nest in the fall or spring, or a tiny turtle on its way from the nest to the nearest water body or other habitat.
This is another scenario where you can sit back, and enjoy watching nature in front of you! Soon after emerging from their nest, hatchlings begin to move to the nearest waterbody or other appropriate habitat (Figure 5).
It may seem like hatchlings could be vulnerable to predators, and need your help. And while the first statement is true, it is important to remember that predation is a natural occurrence in nature. Not much is known yet about how turtles navigate the landscape and how or when turtles learn important cues, but many experts believe that the movement from nest to water is an important time in the life of a turtle.
That being said, if you find hatchlings emerging from a nest on the side of a busy road it is recommended that they be moved off the road in the direction they were headed. While it is not advisable to move hatchlings at all, in this scenario if they are not moved there will be few survivors due to the grave risk traffic poses.
6. I have found an injured turtle that has been hit on the road. How can I help it?
If you can, safely and gently remove the turtle from the road. Record your exact location, and place the turtle (and her intact eggs, if it is a gravid female) in a box or container. The container should be well ventilated with a secure lid, and if available, lined with a slightly damp towel.
Then, as soon as possible, contact the OTCC by phoning 705-741-5000. The OTCC will arrange pickup and delivery of the injured turtle to their rehabilitation centre. The OTCC has the largest rehabilitation centre for turtles in the province, and has an extensive volunteer network that works together to transport turtles to their facilities.
If a gravid female cannot be rehabilitated, her eggs may still be viable, and with careful incubation, hatchlings can be released at the site where the female was found. This action is so important for turtles – not only do you have the ability to save a mature, adult, female turtle but also her offspring.
Thanks for reading and your interest in helping turtles! You can be a turtle hero today by following these simple stewardship guidelines and actions.
Dr. Julia Riley is an ecologist and herpetologist currently based at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. Before moving to Australia her research focussed on the biology, behaviour, and conservation of Ontario turtles, and she still continues work on this topic today. If you want to know more about her current research, check out her website at: www.rileybiology.com.
Emma Horrigan is Ontario Nature’s conservation science coordinator.
Common loon © Missy Mandel
A snapping turtle laid eggs on our front lawn and I took video – you can see the eggs drop. Let me know if interested
Hi Aileen,
As in Point # 3 above;
“3. I have come across a female turtle nesting (somewhere other than on a road) or searching for an appropriate nesting location. What can I do?
Take care to observe the female turtle from a distance (at least 10 metres) to minimize disturbing the nesting process. If a female is spooked repeatedly, or in a way that is very stressful, she may end up ‘laying’ her eggs in the water. Retaining the eggs can be harmful to the female, and if the eggs are laid in water they will not survive.
In most cases, there is no reason to engage with the female turtle or her eggs. Sometimes there are exceptions (e.g. landscaping or renovation projects that lead to the destruction of a nest) and in these cases you should contact your local Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) office or the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre. They will try to work with you to find a solution that works for everyone.
Another exception is when a large number of predators (i.e. foxes, racoons, wolves, crows) are known to be near your house or cottage (Figure 3). In this case, covering a nest with a cage may help to protect it from predation during incubation.”
Warm regards,
ON Noah
There are at least two turtle nests on my lawn. We’re on our third summer living on Vardy Lake. This is a very new experience. Yesterday, I was able to watch the mother put the eggs in the ground just below our deck. Today, another turtle laid a nest further on lawn. What can I do to ensure these nests are protected?
Hi Sharon –
Please email info@ontarionature.org with specifics like location. We can see what we can do to help you.
Cheers,
ON Tanya
Hi Deborah,
Thank you very kindly for saving the turtles and thank you again for reporting your considerate and important actions.
It is not too late to report your sightings. Visit https://ontarionature.org/programs/citizen-science/reptile-amphibian-atlas#report and you can report your sightings to the atlas.
Best regards,
ON Noah
This has been the worst year yet for saving turtles. We had a late and lousy Spring so, perhaps that also contributed. Last year by this time I had saved 5+ turtles. Most of them came between June 9th -15th. 15th being my busiest day. And even on the roadside and roads there were hardly any deaths… In our area Quinte West -Belleville,they are paving the shoulders everywhere so, the turtle nesting sites are few now.. I had started to do the Atlas last year ,and started to input my info but , I had cellphone troubles and all info was in the old phone… Is it too late to somehow record or note the info… thank you for all you do. DS p.s. am I able to upload some pics pertainng to turtles to this site. Taken last month?
We need a guest speaker to explain the connections between keeping our properties in a natural state and survival of endangered species. We have Eastern hog nosed snakes. Five-lined skinks and painted turtles in our area and need heightened awareness of importance of woodland conservation. Can you help us?