HELPING TURTLES IN SUMMER
HELP TURTLES IN SUMMER
The following are notes we have assembled with an emphasis on 'Helping Ontario's Turtles' during late spring and summer. We hope you find this resource useful and informative and inspire you to take action this turtle season and thereafter.
(1) NESTING SEASON
(2) WHEN NESTING MAY OCCUR
(3) NESTING PROCESS
(4) GIVE TURTLES SPACE
(5) AFTER NESTING
(6) NEST PROTECTION
(7) PREDATION
(8) INCUBATION PERIOD
(9) ACCIDENTALLY HOOKED A TURTLE
(10) REPORT TURTLE SIGHTINGS
(1) NESTING SEASON: The Ontario turtles typically nest from mid-May to mid-July. June is the 'peak' month for nesting. During this period, the number of turtles that cross roads increases significantly. Both females and males will be on the move. Most turtle species lay eggs annually. Blanding's turtle females have been known to lay eggs every other year, and some turtles lay twice during one nesting season. A female snapping turtle, for example, will typically lay her eggs in early summer. Depending on when she mated, egg-laying may extend into autumn.
(2) WHEN NESTING MAY OCCUR: Nesting activity accompanied by increased road crossings is more apt to occur.
In the early mornings through to about noon. Turtles are less likely to be on the move during the afternoon if it is hot and sunny, but exceptions are always possible.
In the evenings, as the hot afternoon temperatures begin to come down and the sun lowers in the sky, nesting turtles sometimes use the milder evening/night temperatures and protective cover of darkness to lay their eggs.
Nesting activity will often increase during light, intermittent showers, or after rain, regardless of the time of day. Rainy and humid days should put drivers on high turtle alert!
Although rain is more inclined to encourage us indoors during nesting season, this is not true for turtles.
Turtle behavior aligns with the rain for several reasons, especially during nesting season. These include (a) turtles are highly aquatic, and increased moisture simulates an environment they are most akin to; (b) turtles are more apt to be on the move when the risk of dehydration and overheating is diminished; and (c) the rain may cause water levels to raise facilitating the turtle movements in the wetlands, especially snapping turtles, (d) the ground is softer and more accessible to dig a nest to lay eggs, and (e) rain will help erase most of the visual clues from the nesting site and (f) help dissipate the scent that lingers after a female has nested. All indicators suggest that turtles are very much in tune with their environment, and although they do not remain with the nest as do other animal species, they make choices that give the nest the best possible chance of surviving.
(3) NESTING PROCESS: The nesting process involves the female Turtle traveling to her preferred nest location, often where a turtle was born, digging the nest, laying the eggs, and burying the nest. Sometimes, a turtle digs in several places, looking for the right spot. If a spot does not meet her approval, she will move on to another spot and start digging. These are known as test nests. Research and studies have deduced that, at times, female turtles dig a series of test nests before digging the actual nest. They do this to camouflage the actual nest from predators. Depending on the species, temperature, and individual turtle nesting can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours or longer. The duration will depend on the number of eggs the Turtle lays and the individual Turtle.
(4) GIVE HER SPACE: When you observe a turtle nesting, giving her space is vital. This ensures the nesting process is not disturbed, which is crucial for the safety and success of the process. Keep at least 10 meters between you and the nesting Turtle. If you have a dog with you, it's best to remove your canine companion from the area. Remember, people being too close or a dog can be stressful for a turtle and cause her to abandon the nest without laying all her eggs or filling in the nest, which could make the eggs especially vulnerable. Your respect for the Turtle's space is vital to her and her eggs' safety.
When turtles have eggs, they have to expel them. If they don't, they can get 'egg bound,' also known as suffering from egg retention or dystocia. It can be life-threatening. A turtle disturbed while nesting may even dump her eggs into the water. Fertile eggs dumped into the water will die quickly as they drown. If you find turtle eggs in the water, it is recommended that you retrieve them if it is safe for you to do so. Call the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre at 705-741-5000 immediately.
(5) AFTER NESTING: After the female Turtle has finished nesting and covered her nest, observe her direction. If she intends to cross the road, please help ensure she gets safely across the road and when and if it is safe for you to do so. Nesting is physically draining, so a female turtle, after nesting, will move slower than usual and become dehydrated, making her more vulnerable when crossing roads. If you assist a turtle across the road, it is imperative to make 'SAFETY YOUR #1 PRIORITY' for your sake, and the motorists are counting on you to make wise and safe choices. Be sure to move the Turtle in the direction she was headed. Note: Sometimes, female turtles, in particular snapping turtles, after nesting, will begin to head in a straight line away from the nest, giving the impression that is the direction the Turtle intends to go. Hang back and be sure; snapping turtles are often observed moving in a straight line away from the nest and then doing a 360° turn, which results in the Turtle heading in the opposite direction, which may be away from the road and headed towards the water.
(6) NEST PROTECTION: It is widely reported that as many as ninety percent of all turtle nests are destroyed by predators, weather events and conditions, accidental disturbances, and other factors. We know many eggs do not hatch, and many babies do not live long. Any nest that is protected may have a positive impact on the survival of a new generation of local turtles. If a turtle nests on your property, you 'are allowed' to install a turtle nest protector and are encouraged to do so as a contribution to species recovery efforts in your community. Should you observe a turtle nesting on private property you do not own or public property such as a road shoulder, roadside, park, etc., as per property ownership, jurisdiction bylaws, motorists/cyclists/pedestrians safety and liability, turtle nest protectors, you obtain permission to install a nest protector. Should you install a nest protector without permission and there is an accident, you will be held responsible and could be liable for any damage or injuries caused.
We are fortunate in Ontario to be able to protect turtle nests on our property. It is an opportunity to help species at risk that some provinces do not have. We ask that people focus on protecting the turtle nests that 'CAN' be protected and that they have permission to do so. As tough as it is not to be able to protect all nests, nature does have its own set of checks and balances that are to be respected, and part of this includes turtle eggs having a role in sustaining other species.
How To Make A Nest Protector
https://thinkturtleconservationinitiative.wordpress.com/2022/03/30/how-to-make-a-nest-protector/
Where To Buy Turtle Nest Protectors
(7) PREDATION: Turtles exhibit nest site fidelity. This means they return to the same place yearly to lay their eggs or nest sites they have successfully nested at. Unfortunately, this makes the nests easy targets for predators that inhabit that area, knowing where and when a feast of turtle eggs will be available. Nests being destroyed year after year can stretch back decades and mean little, if any, chance of localized species recovery to compensate for losses. Coupled with a location that is a hot spot for road mortality, this can contribute to population declines that cannot be reversed. For this reason, attempting to help even predated nests is essential.
Eggshells scattered around the ground are a telltale sign that a predator, such as a raccoon, fox, skunk, mink, rodent, snake, crow, gull, etc., found a nest. Dogs have even been known to dig up nests and eat turtle eggs accidentally. Suppose you find a predated nest on your property or during your travels. In that case, it is recommended that you move the egg shells from the immediate area they have been dug up, fill in the exposed nest, and smooth over the surface of the nest site to remove the visual cues. The reason for doing this is that in the feeding frenzy, there is always the possibility that a predator might have missed an egg or two. With the nest covered up and possibly human scent introduced at the site, nature may find a way for those one or two eggs to survive and produce hatchlings that will emerge from the nest from August to October.
If a nest is observed dug up with fresh eggshells on the ground, mid-May to mid-July being the nesting season, this is a nest predators got to 'NOT' a nest that has just hatched. If a nest is observed dug up with eggshells on the ground from August to October, when many turtle hatchlings emerge, there are a couple of scenarios to consider. Firstly, the nest may have been detected, and the predator may have eaten the hatchlings. Secondly, the outcome that is hoped for is that the hatchlings may have been able to make a clean break for the water, and their nest was dug up 'AFTER' they exited the nest.
(8) INCUBATION PERIOD: The incubation period for turtle nests is 60 to 90 days from the day the female Turtle lays her eggs (clutch). This is a general guideline. When a nest will hatch depends on the turtle species, where the nest is located, the amount of sunlight, moisture, temperatures the nest is subjected to, environmental factors, and so much more. A warm summer can speed up the incubation period. A cooler summer or erratic temperatures and weather patterns can cause the hatchlings to show up slower, but in the end, we're on turtle time.
Many factors affect the outcome of the clutch size (number of eggs) and incubation period for the eight species of turtles native to Ontario in regards to nesting variance is usual. Please view the following as a general guideline;
Blanding's Turtle Painted Turtle – 4 to 13 oval-shaped eggs, 60 to 90 days from the date the female Turtle nested.
Eastern Musk Turtle 'Stinkpot' – 2 to 5 oval-shaped eggs 60 to 90 days.
Northern Map Turtle – 7 to 23 oval-shaped eggs, 60 to 90 days, and hatchlings sometimes remain in the nest cavity until the spring, called 'overwintering.'
Painted Turtle – 3 to 15 oval-shaped eggs, 60 to 90 days, and hatchlings often remain in the nest cavity until the spring, called 'overwintering.'
Snapping Turtle – 6 to 104 round-shaped eggs, 80 to 90 days.
Spiny-Soft Shell – 3 to 43 round-shaped eggs, 55 to 100 days.
Spotted Turtle – 2 to 8 oval-shaped eggs, 55 to 80 days, and hatchlings may remain in the nest cavity until the spring, called 'overwintering.'
Wood Turtle – 4 to 12 oval-shaped eggs, 60 to 90 days.
(9) ACCIDENTALLY HOOKED A TURTLE: If you accidentally hook a turtle,do not cut the line!
A fishing hook left intact could affect a turtle's ability to forage for food and perform routine activities. If a hook were to be swallowed, it could get lodged in the Turtle's throat or gastrointestinal tract. This would be incredibly agonizing for a turtle and prove fatal. Turtles sometimes get hooks embedded in their shell, a joint, bone or muscle, legs, an eye, and head. Untreated external and internal injuries, malnourishment, and infections can lead to a sickly, diseased turtle, affecting bodily functions, reproductive capabilities, and, in some cases, the health of other turtles and the body of water.
Turtle Hooked On Your Fishing Line? Here's What To Do
POINT TO NOTE: Mid-August through mid-October is typically when turtle hatchlings emerge from their nest.
(10) REPORT TURTLE SIGHTINGS: Officially reporting hatchling, juvenile, or adult turtle sightings, dead or alive, is very important! This enables conservation agencies and wildlife conservation organizations involved in species-at-risk studies to identify and better understand the distribution of the various turtle species and the factors that affect their activities. With access to this data and research, they can identify areas that would most benefit from installing permanent mitigation measures, such as underpasses and fencing, and assess the suitability of pre-existing culverts that could be reworked to serve as an effective mitigation site. This data also helps convince governments to implement mitigation measures such as exclusion fencing, eco passages, and alternate nesting sites.
If you still need to report turtle sightings, please check out the various citizen science programs listed below alphabetically to acquaint yourself with the kind of information you will need to supply. Photo documentation is always recommended to substantiate your sighting and the type of Turtle. Note: If taking a photo of a turtle you will be assisting across a road, please ensure your safety by taking a photo of the turtle 'after' you have moved the Turtle off the road and you are both safe as far over on the shoulder as possible and out of harm's way. Reporting sightings is free, and each program is exceptionally user-friendly.
iNaturalist: This Canada-wide citizen science program is a community-based tool. Your observations will be vetted by researchers, experts, and other citizen scientists. Submit your species at risk observations to iNaturalist by clicking the 'add observations button' on the project home page. https://www.inaturalist.org/
Natural Heritage Information Centre (NHIC): Submit your species at risk observations to the 'NHIC' project on iNaturalist by clicking the 'add observations button' on the project home page. If you prefer to compile your records in a spreadsheet, email it to the Natural Heritage Information Centre. https://www.ontario.ca/page/report-rare-species-animals-and-plants
Ontario Turtle Tally: This is a fun, easy turtle monitoring project for people of all ages through the Toronto Zoo's Adopt-A-Pond Wetlands Conservation Program. It's a great activity for schools, families, cottagers, and community and naturalist groups across the province. Report your turtle sightings by entering your observations into the online database. The purpose is to collect, record, and store location and species information on Ontario turtles, including at-risk species. https://report.adoptapond.ca/
Road Warrior Program: Eco-Kare International has launched the 'Road Warrior Program.' Eco-Kare translates the data submitted for decision-makers to aid in planning, designing, monitoring, and solutions that reduce the negative impacts of roads on wildlife. Their website includes a How to be a Road Warrior video: https://eco-kare.com/road-worrior/. Sign up on their website to receive monthly/quarterly ROAD WARRIOR newsletters and training video updates, and, in the short term, indicate how we can help you, e.g., technical help, where to collect data, workshops, presentations, etc.
Southern Ontario At Risk Reptiles (SOARR): There is a new, quick way to report sightings of turtles and snakes in southwestern Ontario. Just submit an Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) Turtle Reporting Form online (see attached link) to report a turtle nest with eggs, a turtle nest without visible eggs, and other concerns regarding turtle health and safety. in southwestern Ontario. Your report will go directly to Scott Gillingwater, Species at Risk Biologist with the UTRCA and the Southern Ontario At Risk Reptiles (SOARR) team. UTRCA Turtle Reporting Form
https://thamesriver.on.ca/report-turtle-and-snake-sightings-online/
Turtle Guardians: The Turtle Guardians citizen science and recovery program is designed with kids in mind, and adults will enjoy these features equally. Report turtle sightings and track how many you helped. Pass the turtle test to get your ID card. For anyone preferring not to report through a mobile device, they have an Online Sighting Report Form. You will also be asked if you want your sighting information sent to government agencies.
https://www.turtleguardians.com/sighting-report-form/
Note: A point to mention that some people may not be aware of is that if you find an injured turtle and the Turtle is admitted to the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (OTCC), you 'do not need to report that turtle' to a citizen science programs such as iNaturalist, Ontario Turtle Tally, NHIC or Turtle Guardians. The OTCC officially reports every Turtle admitted to the Natural Heritage Information Centre (NHIC). If you report the turtle encounter/sighting, this would be a duplicate reported sighting and contribute to skewing data for the year and regions where turtles are located.
To make the most of all your turtle encounters, including turtles admitted to OTCC, please share this information with local conservation organizations involved in nest protection, interim mitigation measures such as awareness signage, and permanent mitigation measures like assessing and implementing underpasses. Be sure the organization knows that the OTCC will officially report the information you share.
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.
