L&G Turtles

We observed lots of critters yesterday in the hot sun! Everyone looked happy and healthy

Big Mama the snapping turtle has finally woken up!

Lots of critters were out the other day! Garter Snakes Wood Frogs Midland Painted Turtles

Runner up for the Olympic Swim team Canadian Bolt (Midland Painted Turtle)

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming! -Dory (Northern Two-Lined Salamander)

I spy with my little eye

After a little cold snap they are back out enjoying the beautiful weather! Happy Easter! (pictured are Midland Painted turtles Adult and Yearling and a Northern Two-Lined Salamander)

Be sure to tune in this Monday at 7:30pm for a webinar on snake advocacy with fellow advocate Matt Ellerbeck! Just click the link to register (it’s free) https://event.webinarjam.com/register/25/ow2pmuww

These guys have finally woken up! A few Midland Painteds from today. Keep your eyes out, as our shelled friends will be on the move very soon!

I am not happy to say we have received our first hit by car turtle of the year... This little snapping turtle is about the size of my hand and clearly tried to ...‘snap’ at a car and got clipped in the process. A huge thank you to the lovely person who found him and brought him out. He is in rough shape and it will be touch and go. This is a good reminder turtles are awake and moving from wintering grounds to their summer grounds. Please watch for them and help them cross in the direction they are heading if you can do so safely without causing a traffic hazard.

Starting to see some action today! A beautiful Northern Water Snake

It is officially spring! Soon turtles will be travelling... We're always looking for more Turtle Taxi volunteers! Turtle Taxi volunteers help us get injured turtles to the centre from across the province. Want to know more and sign up to help? Email [email protected]!

Critter of the Week #4 Gray Treefrog Status: not assessed, no protection under Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act... Despite its name, these frogs can be seen as gray, brown or green in colour. They have large suction-cup-like toe pads. These frogs can reach a length of 6cm, and their call is a short flute-like trill. The Gray Treefrog may be found in many types of tree and shrub habitats near water; it can be found at the top of even the tallest trees! These frogs are rarely seen outside of breeding season, as they typically hide in tree holes, under bark, in rotten logs, and under leaves or tree roots. They breed in late spring and early summer. Like other frog species, they tolerate freezing temperatures. Females lay up to 2000 eggs in clusters of 10-40 which are attached to pond vegetation. Tadpoles hatch within a week and develop their limbs between 40-60 days after hatching. Treefrogs depend on forests, so habitat loss and degradation due to clear cutting, roads, agriculture and urbanization are the main threats to these frogs. The very limited data in this species indicates that it is probably present in very large numbers, despite substantial habitat loss. Photos by: Aly Hoover

With spring just around the corner, we will soon start seeing our reptile friends out and about. This is a fantastic reference on helping snakes from a fellow advocate in the area, Matt Ellerbeck! Please give it a read and help our snake friends this season! https://www.snakeadvocacy.com/how-you-can-help-snakes/

Critter of the week #2! The Smooth Greensnake Status: not assessed in Ontario or Canada, but is designated as a Specially Protected Reptile under the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.... No other snakes in Ontario are bright green like these guys! This snake is commonly 30-50 centimetres, but has potential to grow up to 66! They are found in a variety of habitats including prairies, meadows, fields, wetland edges, forest clearings and open woodlands. It is most often found in places with grass and dense vegetation where it’s green colour provides excellent camouflage! It hibernates underground often in large groups and even other species of snakes. These guys breed in spring or early summer, and the females will lay 2-11 cylindrical eggs late summer in rotting logs or underground burrows. The hatchlings will take about 2 years to mature. The smooth greensnake is an insectivore, meaning their diet consists of mainly insects. The life span of the smooth greensnake in the wild is unknown, but individuals of this species caught as adults have lived for over five years in captivity. The smooth greensnake is believed to be widespread and abundant in Ontario. Habitat loss and degradation may negatively affect local populations of this species. Predators include other snakes, birds and mammals, including housecats. As with all of Ontario’s snake species, road mortality is a threat, especially in southern Ontario. Photos by: Jerritt Douds

Disgusting, things need to change and fast.

This is devastating..

This is so concerning! Please take a stand and sign the circulating petitions and contact your local representatives! Thank you. https://yourstoprotect.ca/

Who doesn’t love stickers!?

Always fun to watch! And lots to learn :)