McMaster University recognizes that the University and surrounding Hamilton area, including their nature spaces, are situated on traditional territories shared between the Haudenosaunee confederacy and Anishnaabe nations. These lands are protected by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum belt. The wampum uses the symbolism of a dish to represent the territory, and one spoon to represent that the people are to share the resources of the land and only take what they need.
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Nature @ McMaster

Rare Reptiles

Canada’s northern climate makes it inhospitable to all but the most cold-tolerant of reptile species. Despite this, a number of snakes, turtles, and one lizard species can be found in Ontario.

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Photo by Jonathan Scholtens

Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina)

Common Snapping Turtles are the largest turtle species in Canada, reaching an average shell length of around 30 cm long. Common Snapping Turtles have long necks, giving them an impressive reach with their powerful bite. They are opportunistic scavengers and ambush predators, feeding on anything that fits in their mouth, dead or alive. Snapping turtles will also eat plants growing in their wetland habitat. They generally prefer swamps and marshes with shallow water, allowing them to hide on the bottom of the wetland and reach the surface with their long necks to breathe.

Common Snapping Turtles were added to Ontario’s Species at Risk list in 2009 due to a variety of threats they face. Snapping turtles do not reach reproductive maturity for 15 to 20 years after hatching, so population regeneration is a slow process. This makes adult mortality a significant conservation concern. Habitat fragmentation (such as roads, railways, and urban areas) put snapping turtles at risk of being crushed by vehicles or interactions with people who may illegally harm them. Snapping turtles prefer to lay their eggs in sandy or gravelly substrate, which is often found alongside roads in developed areas. This puts the adults and nestlings at risk of being hit by vehicles and puts nests at higher risk of predation by skunks, foxes, and raccoons due to their large populations in urban areas. Snapping turtle conservation efforts are important to ensure this species can thrive in Ontario’s wetlands. Many conservation organizations track turtle nesting sites to protect them from predation, and roadside fencing is a common tool to keep turtles off of roads. Watching for turtles when driving near wetlands during the period from May to October is an important way that everyone can help our local species as well. Overall, the Common Snapping Turtle is a beautiful species that plays an important part in Ontario’s wetland ecosystems.

If you find a turtle on the road, this video from the Toronto Zoo has some tips for safely helping it cross:

References:

Serralheiro-O’Neill, B. (2021, May 6). Snapping turtle. The Canadian Encyclopedia. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/snapping-turtle

Snapping turtle. ontario.ca. (n.d.-d). https://www.ontario.ca/page/snapping-turtle