SNAPPING TURTLES

Ontario's Snapping Turtles: Myths, Truths, and Conservation

Snapping turtles, the largest freshwater turtles native to Ontario, are captivating with their prehistoric appearance. However, people often judge them incorrectly due to their size and seemingly defensive behavior. Unfortunately, this has led to many misunderstandings and mistreatment of these remarkable creatures.

Over time, snapping turtles have suffered from misconceptions because people haven't taken the time to learn the truth about them. Their name, "snapping turtle," doesn't help, reinforcing a one-dimensional view of these animals. While it's true that snapping turtles can snap, scratch, and even inflict a minor wound with their sharp beak, they are generally gentle creatures when left alone, especially in their aquatic habitats.

Not Harmful

Snapping turtles are not inherently dangerous. They are typically docile, only becoming defensive when cornered, startled, or harassed, making them feel threatened. Unlike other turtles, snapping cannot retreat into their shells, leaving them vulnerable on land. In these situations, their first instinct is to flee, but if cornered, they may snap at the air or lunge to protect themselves. However, a snapping turtle will not chase you down and attack you.

The best way to avoid negative encounters is to leave them alone. If you spot a snapping turtle, keep your distance and avoid getting too close on land or water.

Snapping Turtles on Land

On land, snapping turtles are at their most vulnerable. Their small plastron (under shell) exposes much of their body, making them feel defenseless. This vulnerability often triggers their protective instincts, leading to snapping if they feel threatened. Understanding this vulnerability can help us empathize with these creatures and respect their space needs.

Snapping turtles spend about 90% of their lives in water, only venturing onto land for specific reasons such as moving to a new habitat, seeking food, mating, nesting, or basking. On land, they prefer to be left alone to complete their mission without interference.

If a snapping turtle feels threatened, it will likely snap as a warning. If you put your fingers or any other part of your body too close, you risk being bitten. While snapping turtles lack teeth, their strong jaws and sharp beaks can inflict a painful bite, with a jaw strength of 208 to 226 Newtons. A human's bite force averages between 300 and 700 Newtons.

It's important to remember that a snapping turtle's defensive behavior is a response to feeling threatened. When we approach a snapping turtle, even with good intentions like helping it across a road, the turtle doesn't know this and sees us as a potential predator.

Snapping Turtles in Water

Snapping turtles are much more comfortable and passive in the water. Although not the fastest swimmers, they are highly aquatic and often walk along the bottom of their watery habitats. In the water, they are unlikely to snap or show aggression. Sometimes, they may approach boats, docks, or even people out of curiosity, but most often, they swim away to avoid confrontation.

Snapping turtles play a vital role in their aquatic environments. They often serve as nature's janitors by cleaning up dead and decaying matter that helps prevent bacteria overgrowth in the lakes we swim and play in. The algae on their shells is a testament to their role in maintaining the health of our lakes and wetlands. Understanding and appreciating this role can foster a sense of respect and admiration for these creatures, highlighting the importance of protecting and preserving turtle populations.

Snapping Turtle Encounters

Occasional reports of snapping turtle bites usually result from specific situations:

Someone deliberately provokes a snapping turtle by invading its space or poking it.

A turtle is accidentally stepped on or startled on land or in the water.

An angler unintentionally hooks a turtle, leading to a defensive bite if mishandled. In such cases, contacting the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (OTCC) is crucial for the turtle's safe recovery 705-741-5000.

It's important never to feed snapping turtles, as this can alter their natural behavior, cause them to associate humans with food, and potentially lead to uncomfortable encounters. This contribute to make them a nuisance animal at your doing.

There is sometimes confusion between Ontario's common snapping turtles and the much more giant alligator snapping turtles found in the USA. The common snapping turtle, native to Ontario, is significantly smaller and less aggressive than its alligator counterpart. Understanding the differences between these species can prevent unnecessary fear or misinterpretation of their behavior.

A Snapping Turtle's Perspective

A snapping turtle might mistake toes or fingers dangling off a dock for worms, leading to a curious but non-aggressive bite when in the water. To avoid any potential misunderstanding, it is recommended that you wear water shoes.

While we often see lakes and rivers as recreational spaces, it's important to remember that they are home to snapping turtles and other wildlife. Respecting their space and avoiding unnecessary interactions is a matter of safety and a responsibility we owe to these creatures. This will not only minimize the risk of negative encounters but also contribute to the preservation of their populations.

Illegal Activities

Ontario's turtles, including snapping turtles, are at risk, and it is illegal to relocate, harm, or harass them. They are protected under the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. Removing a turtle from its natural habitat can cause significant stress and even death, as turtles are highly attached to their home ranges. If you see a turtle in distress, contact the OTCC rather than attempt to relocate it yourself.

Remember, snapping turtles are not out to attack humans. They are simply trying to survive in a world that often misunderstands them. By learning more about these fascinating turtle species and respecting their space, we can coexist peacefully and help preserve their populations for future generations.

If you have questions or concerns, do not hesitate to call Think Turtle Conservation Initiative at 647-606-9537 for a prompt response or e-mail us at thinkturtle@yahoo.com. Visit our website at thinkturtle.ca. Under the education resources heading, we have a page devoted to snapping turtles. 

HELPING SNAPPING TURTLES ACROSS ROADS

If it is safe to stop and assist a turtle across the road or retrieve an injured turtle please make "SAFETY YOUR #1 PRIORITY" to ensure your, passengers', and other motorists' safety on the roads is imperative.

Any encounter with a human is stressful. It is always best and less stressful for a turtle if it can cross the road unassisted. If there is no oncoming traffic, let the turtle cross the road without help. Observe from a distance. Avoid sudden movements that may alarm the turtle and cause it to change direction, stop, or seek shelter within its shell.

If an unassisted road crossing is impossible, we hope you will find the following information helpful.

Although your intentions may be well-meaning, if you are not comfortable with a hands-on approach to assisting a snapping turtle across the road, please refrain from attempting this to avoid possible harm to yourself and the turtle. Dropping a turtle from even a short distance can cause an injury to them and their fragile cargo if an egg-laden female.

Special care is required when assisting a snapping turtle across the road. These turtles may be the size of a dinner plate or as much as 19 inches long, weigh up to 36 pounds, and have powerful legs and jaws. To safely handle a large snapping turtle, "AVOID" the front half of the turtle's body. Be sure that your hands and arms are always beyond the reach of the snapping turtle's long neck.

There are many ways to assist a snapping turtle physically across the road. The best way is a personal choice and depends on two factors: the comfort level of the person looking to help the turtle and the size of the snapping turtle.

Hands-On Handling Methods

(A) Grasping Back of the Shell—Approach the turtle from behind. Avoid loud noises or bumping the turtle before picking it up. Wearing gloves is recommended, providing additional protection and a better grip. The shell (carapace) may have algae growth and be wet. The best gloves are used for rose pruning because they have a more extended cuff, which adds extra protection against snapping turtle claws, which are very sharp and can cause scratches on your hands and arms. Use gloves if you have them.

Your movement and actions must be careful and swift. Hovering near or over a snapping turtle will unintentionally cause undue stress and give it more time to become problematic.

Place your hands at the back of the turtle's shell, each to the side of the tail. Hold the turtle with your thumbs on the top of the shell and fingers on the bottom rim of the shell, similar to holding a tray of food with two hands. This will enable you to get a good grip and manage the turtle's weight. A snapping turtle cannot extend its neck back this far. 

Lift the turtle off the road and move safely and quickly, keeping the turtle as low to the ground as possible to prevent serious injury if you drop the turtle. Be prepared for the turtle to snap in the air and move their legs while in your grip. Keep the turtle's head pointed away from your body because their neck is long and flexible, and hold the turtle as far away from your body as you can while moving the turtle. Some turtles empty their bladder when lifted off the ground because they are scared, so be careful not to drop the turtle if this suddenly occurs.

Place the turtle gently on the ground a safe distance from the road. Step back quickly once you release your grip from the turtle's shell. Snapping turtles often spin around to face their predator, followed by snapping and bouncing in a lunging motion. Leave the turtle alone to recover from being handled.

(B) Towel Over Shell – This method is the same as described in (A), but a towel is used instead of gloves. Approach the turtle from behind. Quickly place a towel over the back section of the snapping turtle's shell and grasp the turtle by the back of the shell, with one hand on each side of the tail. The towel allows for a perfect grip and helps to contain the turtle's back legs, reducing the risk of getting scratched by the turtle's long, sharp claws. Here is a video of this method to view.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gS8oaDBCPS8

(C) Pizza Hold Method: Approach the turtle from behind to cause as little undue stress as possible. Place one hand on the base of the turtle's tail to help stabilize and secure it. Slide the other hand halfway under the turtle's under shell (plastron) and carry the turtle across the road, maintaining the direction it was headed. Here is a video of this method to view.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=646096262605505

(D) Car Mat Method— By placing a car mat or piece of cardboard under the turtle, you can carefully drag the turtle with its back facing the direction it is going. If enough of the turtle is not positioned under the turtle, you may need to grab underneath the rear part of the top shell and lift the rear legs off the ground to slide the mat under the turtle quickly. Move the turtle across the road in the direction it was headed. Spin the turtle back around when the turtle is far enough away from the road in case it takes the turtle a few minutes to move off the mat to ensure you and the turtle are not in harm's way. 

Using a car mat can be a helpful way to help snapping turtles across a road without actually picking them up, Here is a video of this method to view.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1414961188896826

(E) Wheelbarrow Method—Imitating the action of tilting a wheelbarrow up firmly, approach the turtle from behind, and grasp the back of the turtle's shell near the back legs. Lift the rear end of the turtle up and walk the turtle forward. In most cases, the turtle will move forward on its front legs. If the turtle does not help, you may need to carry the turtle across the road carefully. but generally, it is a method that works well.

Snapping Turtle Hatchlings

Hatchlings can be picked up for thumb and forefighter if found crossing the road or grass. They will not bite, and there is no danger of harm. Please be careful not to overhandle or drop the hatchling. Take the hatchling to the nearest body of water with shallow water and vegetation. 

Juvenile Snapping Turtles 

If you find a juvenile snapping turtle bigger than a hatchling and up to 4", grasp it with both hands like a sandwich to assist it across the road. Do not put your fingers in front of the turtle's face. At this age, they can nip you. Set the juvenile snapping turtle down safely away from the road. 

Non-Handling Methods

Assisting a snapping turtle is entirely possible without actually touching the turtle.

The most popular non-handling method for assisting a snapping turtle across the road is a shovel. Many people travel with a shovel in their vehicle during turtle season. People use various shovels, but plastic snow shovels are often chosen because of their size and construction.

(F) Shovel To Scoop—Depending on the size of the turtle, a shovel can gently scoop it off the road and carry it across the road in the direction it is headed. It is essential that the shovel is not raised too high off the ground and is big enough to contain the turtle so it does not fall out and sustain an injury. For this reason, snow shovels are more commonly used.

(G) Shovel To Guide – The second way a snow shovel can be used is by standing behind the turtle and using it to coax and help negotiate the turtle across the road carefully.

(H) Monitored Crossing—Some people prefer not to handle turtles, and that is, of course, understood. If it is safe for you to do so, sometimes just standing behind a turtle on the road is enough to prompt them to pick up their pace and proceed across the road. This can sometimes cause a turtle to become startled and veer off the path they were headed. If possible, try not to get too close. Wearing a safety vest is important when near or on the road.

(I) Crossing Guard – Another method used to assist a turtle across a road is to do so from the road shoulder with a safety vest on and alert oncoming motorists to the fact that there is a turtle on the road. This may involve pointing, waving your arms, or a brightly colored item. Doing so may even prompt a passerby who is more comfortable handling snapping turtles to safety and pull off the road to assist the turtle across the road. There has been a significant increase in awareness of the challenges the turtles face, and it is not uncommon for concerned citizens to stop and safely assist a turtle across the road.

(J) Old Timer Crossing – If you encounter a substantial old snapping turtle, it is best to safely clear the way for the turtle and alert oncoming traffic. Please wear a safety vest to ensure you are visible! The turtle may take a while to complete the journey across the road. Most oncoming traffic will be sensitive to this and excited to see such a treasured and wonderful sight. These days, in such circumstances, another person may stop to alert oncoming traffic.

When it comes to assisting turtles across the road, some people have been known to use whatever is at hand for unexpected turtle encounters. Alternative items have included tarps, rugs, a small sheet of plywood, a kid's winter flying carpet, wagons, tote, police escorts, etc., to safely assist a turtle across the road and keep all parties concerned safe.

Methods "NOT" To Use

Picking Up By Tail: A turtle should "never" be picked up by the tail because it is fused to their spine. Handling a turtle in this manner has the potential to dislocate its spine, which can result in paralyzation and a slow, painful death.

Dragging: A method that has been used in the past and should "not" be used, as advised by the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (turtle hospital), is offering a snapping turtle a branch, golf club, hockey stick, broom handle, ratchet strap, piece of rope, etc. with the expectation the snapping turtle will clamp down on the item placed in front of their mouth. Followed by a person dragging the snapping turtle across the road. This method has resulted in unfortunate injuries to turtles over the years due to people accidentally pulling with too much force or the turtle causing an injury to itself. This method can accidentally cause ligament injury, a fractured or dislocated neck, which can be mild to severe spinal cord injury, in any case resulting in severe pain and other serious symptoms that can be fatal to a turtle. Thankfully, we now know about the risks of using this method and why it should not be used.

Overpowering: No matter how well meant your intentions are to help a turtle please refrain from helping in a manner that borders on harassing. A snapping turtle that feels overpowered and has people coming at it from multiple directions will be scared by this and seriously stressed. Even if you manage to get the turtle across the road in the direction it was headed a stressed turtle could end of back on the roads minutes after you left. Never kick turtles as a way of prompting them across the road. 

We hope you find this information helpful. If you have any questions regarding this or other turtle-related matters, please do not hesitate to contact Think Turtle Conservation Initiative at 647-606-9537 (phone/text) or e-mail thinkturtle@yahoo.com. Thank you for looking out for Ontario's endangered species.