HELPING TURTLES IN AUTUMN

HELPING TURTLES IN AUTUMN

The following are notes we have assembled with an emphasis on 'Helping Ontario's Turtles' during the final weeks of summer and into the fall. We hope you find this resource useful and informative this turtle season. 

(1) HATCHLINGS ARRIVE

(2) FOUND A HATCHLING

(3) HELP HATCHLINGS TO WATER

(4) DON'T TAKE HATCHLINGS HOME

(5) PETS & TURTLES

(6) SLOW NESTS

(7) NEST FAILURES

(8) OVERWINTERING

(9) NEST PROTECTORS (End of Season)

(10) TURTLES ON THE MOVE (End of Season)

(11) INJURED TURTLES

(1) HATCHLINGS ARRIVE: From mid-August to mid-October, a critical period unfolds as hatchlings emerge from their nests. Before starting any seasonal maintenance, keep a vigilant eye on roads, ATV trails, bike paths, driveways, parking areas, fire pits, building sites, and even your lawn and gardens. Remember, where there's one hatchling, there could be more. Some nests hatch out in one day, and others hatch over a few days. We have occasionally had as many as two weeks pass before the last hatchlings emerged from the nest. 

(2) FOUND A HATCHLING: Assisting a hatchling from the area of the nest to its intended body of water is allowed and helpful. This will enable hatchlings to bypass a vast array of predators they could encounter on-route and increase their chances of survival. From the nest to the water, hatchlings could face predators from the air and on land. This could include 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 giant snapping turtles, and other aquatic inhabitants could be waiting to snack on hatchlings.

(3) HELP HATCHLINGS TO WATER: If 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 multiple hatchlings to release, spread them around the body of water, preferably 10 feet apart. This procedure will reduce the chances of predators locating clusters of turtles and increase the number of hatchlings that survive.

Note: Handle turtle hatchlings as little as possible and carefully, as their shells are soft and pliable. Wearing gloves is recommended when handling turtles.

(4) DON'T TAKE HATCHLINGS HOME: It's crucial to understand that removing hatchlings from their natural habitat is not only unethical but also illegal in Ontario. Whether it's for your pond or as a pet, 'REMOVING TURTLES FROM THE WILD IN ONTARIO IS ILLEGAL!' It's important to respect their natural environment and let them contribute to their populations and ecological balance.

It is heartening to know that children spend time outdoors and connect with nature. If you have children or grandchildren or spend time with children in a working capacity, it is essential to teach them that hatchlings observed in the wild should be left in the wild. They are 'not' lonely, lost, or looking for their mother or a friend. By instilling these values in our children, we are nurturing a generation of conservationists who will continue to protect Ontario's turtles. 

It is important to remember that it is illegal to keep native turtle species as pets. Turtles must be in the wild to contribute to their populations and fulfill their unique role in maintaining ecological balance. Hatchlings are born with an innate sense of what they must do to survive. By being aware of these laws, you are contributing to the protection of Ontario's turtle populations.

Remember, Ontario turtles are a species at risk. Under Ontario's Fish & Wildlife Conservation Act, removing turtles from the wild to keep as pets or sell, harm, eat, or kill them can result in a maximum fine of $25,000. To report violations, call the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry TIPS LINE at 1-877-TIPS-MNRF (847-7667) or the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-222-8477 to report your concerns anonymously with as many details as possible. By following these legal guidelines, you are contributing to the conservation of Ontario's turtles and their habitats. 

(5) PETS & TURTLES: It is a sad fact, but sometimes our beloved pets can cause stress, injury, or death to a turtle at varying stages of development (egg, hatchling, juvenile, or adult).

The family dog may have never hurt a fly, but while outdoors, unfortunately, encounters do occur between dogs and turtles (eggs, hatchlings, juveniles, and adults). Dogs have been known to accidentally dig up turtle nests, eat turtle eggs, view a hatchling, juvenile, or adult turtle as a chew toy, and, in some cases, given the dog(s) concerned, the encounter surpasses curiosity or playfulness and is an attack on a turtle.

If your cat or dog injured a turtle, please do not feel uncomfortable or embarrassed to call the turtle hospital. It is unfortunate when and if this happens, but by doing what you can to get proper medical attention for the injured turtle, you give the turtle the best possible chance of surviving. This is important to species recovery efforts and ensuring future generations of turtles.

(6) SLOW NESTS: Sometimes, nests can hatch out slowly. This means that not all hatchlings emerge at once but over a period of time. It's important to note that you should not help hatchlings out of a nest cavity. They could still be absorbing their yolk sacks, and emerging too soon can be deadly. Scrapes and cuts to their yolk sacks could cause infections if put into the water too soon. It is also illegal to tamper with turtle nests without proper permits.

We have had hatchlings show up as late as Thanksgiving and Halloween. This is unsurprising as we are on 'TURTLE TIME' and must let nature unfold as intended. If you installed a nest protector or you know of a nest and the 60 to 90 days incubation period has since passed, please 'DO NOT' dig up the nest. Digging up nests before the eggs are ready to hatch may be enough to disrupt the natural incubation cycle and result in their death. It is important to note that it is illegal for citizens to disturb or move turtle eggs, remove them from the nest, have turtle eggs, or attempt to incubate them. Only individuals and groups that have been issued a permit from the Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry for research and conservation purposes are permitted to handle eggs in conjunction with a hatchling head starting program or research they are involved in and permitted to carry out.

(7) NEST FAILURES: It is unfortunate, but each year, despite the attentive efforts put into protecting turtle nests and monitoring them, there are some nest failures. This can be due to the eggs not being fertilized, location or environmental challenges that prevent development, and improper nest protection (e.g., plastic crate/wooden palette) that prevents the nest from getting enough sun, air circulation, or moisture. It is always important to remember that the nest is a living, breathing entity with specific requirements that must be met to survive the incubation period. Wood frame nest protectors are preferred for people looking to protect a turtle nest on their property.

(8) OVERWINTERING: If you are wondering why the turtle nest you have been so attentive to has not hatched by Thanksgiving, it might be because the hatchlings have chosen to overwinter. The onset of cooler temperatures as fall sets will prompt some turtle hatchlings to stay in their nest for their first winter. This behavior is more typical of Painted, Map, and Blanding's turtles, but other hatchling species, such as snapping turtles, also resort to this survival tactic. The success rate in these cases will vary due to the harsh winter, and some turtle species are less resilient under such conditions. Overwintering brings hope for many little turtles in the spring to look forward to.

(9) NEST PROTECTORS (End of Season): If a turtle nest you protected with a nest protector has not hatched out by the end of October (Halloween) or into November before snow sets in, it is our recommendation that you remove the nest protector. Mark the four corners of the nest protector and remove it. Whatever you use to mark the nest be able to must withstand snow and snow clearing if applicable. We often use golf tees as markers as they can be pushed into the ground flush with the surface, making the location of the nest protector easy to identify in the spring when re-installing the nest protector. Note: Nest protectors left in place once covered by snow could pose a safety concern and run the risk of encounters with snowplows.

If you decide to leave a nest protector on your property installed during the winter because there is no chance of interference. The nest site should be checked during the winter if there are 'ANY' unusual warm weather spells and thawing, as anomalies cannot be predicted. When spring sets in, snow melts, and the nest is again exposed and subject to the sun's warmth, 'PLEASE' be vigilant about monitoring the nest site. Be sure the hatchling exit holes are not obstructed so they can freely reach the water.

(10) TURTLES ON THE MOVE (End of Season): In response to the cooler temperatures setting in towards the end of September to October, the weather patterns and the seasonal shift from autumn to winter, the turtles will be on the move and headed to their winter habitat. For some, this will be a short journey, and for others, it will be longer, but during these travels, there is always a distinct possibility of crossing the roads. Please be 'ALERT' to the increased potential of turtles crossing roads in the fall and early November, depending on the temperatures and weather patterns.

(11) INJURED TURTLES: If you find an 'INJURED' turtle during your travels, please call the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre home of Ontario's Turtle Hospital (OTCC) at 705-741-5000 as soon as you have retrieved the turtle and have it in your possession. The OTCC is located in Peterborough, and they admit turtles from anywhere in Ontario. The OTTC will provide medical care at 'no' charge and have turtle taxi volunteers to assist with transportation if you cannot drive the turtle to the OTCC. If interested in being a 'Turtle Taxi' volunteer, visit www.ontarioturtle.ca for more details.

Note: OTCC has moved to their new location at 2785 Television Road, north of Parkhill Road, Duro-Dummer (Peterborough). 

If you have any questions or concerns about a turtle or nest, please phone or text Think Turtle Conservation Initiative at 647-606-9537 when you are with the turtle or nest. For additional information about helping turtles, we have a variety of platforms for you to choose from—check out our other web pages at www.thinkturtle.ca, follow us on Facebook, or read our WordPress Blog posts at https://thinkturtleconservationinitiative.wordpress.com.  

Thank you for being a friend to the turtles and helping protect Ontario's species at risk, and their habitat.