FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The mission of Think Turtle Conservation Initiative is to promote environmental conservation and sustainability through education, advocacy, and action.

Time of Year: Turtles, like many creatures, follow their natural instincts. One of the rare instances when turtles venture onto land is for nesting. If you spot a turtle out of water from mid-May to mid-July, particularly during the peak nesting period in June, it's an indication that it's a female preparing to nest. 

Time of Day: Turtles, are at risk of dehydration as the sun is out and temperature rises. To protect themselves, turtles seeking to nest are likelier to do so before the full sun (around noon) or in the evening or during or after rainfall. This behavior underscores their vulnerability and the urgent need for our understanding and protection..

Behavior: A turtle lingering in sandy areas like lawns, gardens, dirt driveways, and road shoulder is a sure sign of a female turtle looking to nest. 

The turtle's determination is truly admirable. Despite encountering obstacles such as compacted ground or rocks, she persists in her search for the perfect spot. Once she finds a location that meets her requirements, she will dig a hole and lay her eggs. 

Stored Urine: A turtle ready to nest will often store urine. This urine is used to soften the ground, making it easier for her to dig her nest. If you have ever stopped to assist a turtle across the road and been peed on, this was likely a turtle looking to nest. She peed because she was stressed and scared by being handled.

Turtle Position: If a turtle is about to lay eggs or is, her back end will be tipped into the hole she dug. Depending on the number of eggs she has laid and the individual turtle, she could be in this position for an hour or several. This distinct posture is a clear sign that the turtle has just completed her nesting process.

Behavior: If you observe a turtle, especially a snapping turtle, plunked down on the ground for a lengthy spell a sign of recovering or moving very slowly and maybe even be shaky or trembling that could be a sign she just came from the nest. It is a draining process.

Visual Signs: If you see a turtle and nearby an area looks like the soil has been disrupted, that could be an indication that a turtle nested. You could see other holes that she did not nest in. You may see tail marks in the sand and scratching marks, all signs of a turtle not just passing through an area.There could be a wet spot having used urine to soften the ground for digging. These visual signs can help you identify if a turtle has recently nested.

Turtle Hatchlings

In Ontario, turtle hatchlings typically emerge from their nests between mid-August and mid-October. However, some hatchlings, instead of venturing out in autumn, choose to emerge from their egg and remain in the nest chamber for their first winter. This unique survival strategy, known as 'overwintering,' is a testament to their resilience. It's a way for them to avoid scarce food, potential predators, cold temperatures, and harsh winter conditions. This behavior is more common in Painted, Map, and Blanding's turtles, but other species also adopt this tactic. The success of this strategy varies, depending on the severity of the winter and the species' adaptability to such conditions. 

Found A Hatchling

Assisting a hatchling from the area it was found to the nearest body of water is not only allowed but also crucial. These tiny creatures, barely the size of a coin, face a daunting journey from the nest to the water. They could encounter a vast array of predators, both from the air and on land, including crows, mink, skunks, foxes, seagulls, raccoons, herons, egrets, hawks, owls, fishers, bullfrogs, snakes, and even dogs and cats. Once in the water, large fish, otters, even large snapping turtles, and all manner of other aquatic inhabitants could be lying in wait to snack on hatchlings. 

When hatchlings are found on or near walking, cycling or ATV trails, moving them off the trail is not enough. They could find their way back onto the trail and not be as fortunate about getting assistance a second time. Please take the hatchlings to the nearest body of water. Your assistance can significantly increase their chances of survival. 

Where There Is One

Should you find a hatchling, scour the immediate and surrounding area for more hatchlings. Be careful where you step. Where there is one hatchling, there could easily be more. Species such as painted turtles typically lay 7 to 13 eggs, and snapping turtles could lay as many as 1 to 100, more often 20 - 40 in our experiences.  

Release Site

When you find a hatchling take it to the nearest slow-moving body of water. When you get to the water, scout out a shallow spot with vegetation or leafy debris that will serve as a protective covering and offer resting sites for the hatchlings. 'DO NOT' release hatchings into open water! There will be predators most assuredly lying in wait. Hatchlings will spend much of their early years hiding until they have gained some size and girth and are not so vulnerable to predators. Place the hatchling at the shallow entry point, where it can enter the water at its own pace. Should a hatchling be released into the water that is too deep and has no vegetation, it could contribute to drowning. 

Should there be a large number of hatchlings to release, spreading them around the body of water, preferably 10 feet apart, is a proven strategy. This procedure significantly reduces the chances of predators locating clusters of turtles and increases the number of hatchlings that survive. Your actions can make a real difference in their survival rates.

There are many ways to get involved with Think Turtle Conservation Initiative, such as volunteering, donating, or attending our events. Check out our website for more information.

Think Turtle Conservation Initiative is involved in a variety of initiatives, including reforestation projects, clean-up efforts, and advocacy for environmental policies. Visit our website to learn more.