Hello from Kelly at Think Turtle Conservation Initiative
The Think Turtle Species Recovery Team is braced and ready for the arrival of this season's turtle hatchlings. Counting the days in fact until the much anticipated first glimpses. We expect the hatchlings will begin to make a showing as of mid-August but it is the first three weeks of September that will be the busiest for hatchling activity with some slowpokes until Thanksgiving weekend.
HELPING TURTLES IN SUMMER/FALL
The following are ‘TURTLE‘ related notes we have assembled for 'Helping Ontario's Turtles' during the last weeks of summer through to fall. We hope you find this information useful and informative this turtle season and thereafter.
This e-mail is set-up so you can easily read just the subject matter that interests you or read the entire e-mail.
E-MAIL CONTENT
1. INCUBATION PERIOD
2. HATCHLINGS ARRIVAL
3. FOUND A HATCHLING
4. RELEASING HATCHLINGS
5. DON'T TAKE HATCHLINGS HOME
6. PETS & TURTLES
7. SLOW NESTS
8. NEST FAILURES
9. OVERWINTERING
10. NEST PROTECTORS (END OF SEASON)
11. TURTLES ON THE MOVE
12. INJURED TURTLES
13. ACCIDENTALLY HOOKED A TURTLE
14. THINK TURTLE EVENTS (AUGUST)
1. INCUBATION PERIOD
The incubation period for turtle nests is 60 to 90 days from the day the female turtle laid her eggs (clutch).
There are many factors that 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. A warm summer can speed up the incubation period. A cooler summer and/or erratic temperatures and weather patterns can cause the hatchlings to be slower showing up but albeit we’re on turtle time. Please view the following as a general guideline for the turtle species we most get asked about;
(1) Snapping Turtle – 6 to 100 round shaped eggs, 80 to 90 days, from the date the female turtle nested.
(2) Painted Turtle – 7 to 13 oval shaped eggs, 60 to 90 days and hatchlings often remain in the nest cavity until the spring, called ‘overwintering.’
(3) Blanding’s Turtle – 4 to 13 oval shaped eggs, 60 to 90 days.
(4) 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.’
2. HATCHLINGS ARRIVAL
Turtle hatchlings have been known to emerge from their nests as early as mid August through to mid October. Keep an eye out for turtle hatchlings on roads, ATV trails, bike paths, driveways, parking areas, fire pits, building sites, etc. Please be sure to check your lawn and gardens before seeing to any seasonal maintenance. If you spot one hatchling check the area for the nest. Where there is one hatchling there could easily be more and not necessarily on the same day. Some nests hatch out in one day others over a period of a few days. We have on occasion had as much as two weeks pass before the last hatchlings emerged from the nest.
Note: If you know of an area a turtle took an interest in during nesting season or know of a site there were multiple nests predators got to we would encourage you to check on those areas if you are able to. In such cases the turtle that took an interest in a site may have come back to nest at night. If followed up with rain it would have wiped away any visible signs of a nest and contributed to that nest getting past predators. Nest sites that shows signs of multiple nests dug up by predators do sometimes surprise us as an egg, maybe more may have got missed in the feeding frenzy and afterwards nature found a way.
3. FOUND A HATCHLING
If you are able to help a hatchling get across the road when it is safe to stop please do so in a manner that does not put you, your passengers or other motors in harm's way. Do not stop in the middle of a road lane, pull off onto the shoulders as far as possible and put on your hazard lights. Always make safety your #1 priority! Keeping a high visibility vest and gloves in your vehicle is recommended.
Assisting a hatchling from where the nest is located to their 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, even dogs and cat, etc. 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.
4. RELEASING HATCHLINGS
DO NOT take hatchlings far away from where they were found, also known as the point of origin. Turtle hatchlings need to be placed into the same area because diseases and bacteria from one body of water could affect another and thus affect its wildlife negatively. Also, female turtles take great care when choosing nesting sites and we should respect that. The nesting site was chosen for a reason.
Should you find a hatchling take it to the nearest slow moving body of water within 1 km of the point of origin, as specified and required by the MNRF, in the direction the hatchling was headed. Handle turtle hatchlings carefully and as little as possible, their shells are soft and pliable. A grip that is firm enough to avoid dropping the hatchling but gentle will suffice. Do not handle turtles if you have recently used hand sanitizer. Gloves are recommended.
Scout out a spot within the water body that has a suitable entry point for the hatchling to make their way into the water, has a shallow area and with vegetation and/or leafy debris that will serve as 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.
The hatchling should be placed at the waters edge or a shallow entry point where the hatchling can enter the water at their own pace. If a hatchling is put in water that is more then 2 inches deep to start off with no vegetation to cling on to the hatchling will have to tread water. A hatchling can only tread water for so long. Should a hatchling be released into water that is too deep and has no vegetation this could contribute to drowning.
Should there be a multiply of hatchlings to release spread them around the body of water. If possible 10 feet apart. This will reduce the chances of predators locating clusters of turtles and increase the number of hatchlings that survive.
Note: The body of water should also be one there is no risk of it freezing solid during the winter.
5. DON'T TAKE HATCHLINGS HOME
Please do not remove hatchlings from the area you found them with plans to relocate them to your pond or a friends pond. Do not take a turtle hatchling home to be a pet.
REMOVING TURTLES FROM THE WILD IN ONTARIO IS ILLEGAL!
It is illegal to keep native species as pets and they need to be in the wild to help contribute to their populations and fulfill their special role in maintaining ecological balance. Hatchlings are born with an innate sense of what it is they need to do to survive.
It is wonderful to learn of children spending time outdoors connecting with nature. If you have children, grandchildren or spend time with children in a working capacity it is important to teach them that hatchlings observed in the wild should be left in the wild. They are 'not' lonely or looking for their mother or a friend.
The Ontario turtles are a species at risk. Under Ontario’s Fish & Wildlife Conservation Act, there is a maximum fine of $25,000 for removing turtles from the wild and/or harming them. If buying or selling a species at risk, the penalty is a fine up to $100,000. To report violations call the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry TIPS LINE at 1-877-TIPS-MNRF (847-7667) or Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-222-8477.
6. 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 in the course of routine outdoor activities unfortunately encounters do occur between dogs and turtles (eggs, hatchling, juvenile and adult). 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 an injury to a turtle was caused by your cat or dog 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 this gives the turtle the best possible chance of surviving their injuries. This is important to species recovery efforts and ensuring future generations of turtles.
7. SLOW NESTS
Sometimes nests can be slow to hatch out.
DO 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 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 even closer to Halloween. This is not surprising 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. By digging up the nest 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, be in possession of turtle eggs and/or attempt to incubate them. Only individuals and groups that have been issued a permit from the Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry for the purposes of research and conservation are permitted to handle eggs in conjunction with the hatchling head starting program and/or research they are involved and permitted to carry out.
8. 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/or improper nest protection being used (e.g. plastic crate/wooden palette) that prevent the nest from getting enough sun, air circulation or moisture. It is always important to remember the nest is a living breathing entity as such has specific requirements that need to be met to survive the incubation period. Wood frame nest protectors are the preferred choice for people looking to protect a turtle nest on their property.
9. OVERWINTERING
If 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 is behavior more typical of painted turtles and map turtles but other turtle hatchling species such as snapping turtles and Blanding’s turtles resort to this survival tactic as well. The rate of success in these cases will vary due to the harshness of the winter and some turtle species are not as resilient under such conditions. Overwintering does bring the hope of many little turtles in the spring to look forward to.
10. NEST PROTECTORS (FALL)
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 nest in some way on the surface so it will be easily identifiable and the nest protector can be reinstalled in the early spring. This will of course involve diligently monitoring the nest site again as the temperatures warm up and snow recedes. Note: Keep in mind that whatever you use to mark the nest with will need to be able to 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. A secondary marker can’t hurt as well once the snow shows up.
Nest protectors left in place once covered by snow could pose a safety concern and run the risk of encounters with snowplows.
Should you decide to keep a nest protector installed that is on your property because there is no chance of any kind of interference this is okay. However, if during the winter there are ‘ANY’ unusual warm weather spells and thawing please check on the nest as anomalies cannot be predicted. When spring begins to set in, snow melts and the nest is again exposed and subject to the warmth of the sun ‘PLEASE’ be very vigilant about monitoring the nest site. Be sure to remove the hatchling exit door if you will be going away and cannot find someone to monitor the nest for hatchling activity in your absence.
11. TURTLES ON THE MOVE (FALL)
The cooler temperatures setting in towards the end of September to October, shorter daylight hours and the seasonal shift to fall are cues that trigger the turtles that it is time to move on to their winter habitat. For some turtles this will be a short journey for other turtles a longer one. During these travels there is always a distinct possibility of having to cross a road possible more then one.
Please be 'ALERT' to the increased potential of turtles crossing roads in the fall and even into early November depending on the temperatures and weather patterns.
12. INJURED TURTLES
As of Wednesday August 10, 2022 almost '1,500' injured turtles have been admitted to the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (OTCC) home to Ontario's turtle hospital. 90% of the injured turtles admitted were the result of being struck by a motor vehicle. Most of these incidents could have been prevented had the person behind the wheel not been speeding, multi-tasking while driving and/or engaging in aggressive driving practices.
Please remind 'EVERYONE' in your household and visitors to be mindful of the turtles and other wildlife we share the roads with.
If during your travels you find an 'INJURED' turtle please call the OTCC at 705-741-5000.
The OTCC is located in Peterborough and admit turtles from anywhere in Ontario. The OTTC will provide medical care at 'no' charge and have volunteers to assist with transportation if you are not able to drive the turtle to the OTCC. If interested in being a 'Turtle Taxi' volunteer visit ontarioturtle.ca for more details.
13. ACCIDENTALLY HOOKED A TURTLE
IF YOU ACCIDENTALLY HOOK A TURTLE, PLEASE DO NOT CUT THE LINE!
A fishing hook left intact could affect a turtle’s ability to forage for food and go about their daily life. If a hook were to be swallowed it could get lodged in the turtle’s throat or gastrointestinal tract. This would be especially 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/or 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.
To read about what to do if you accidentally hook a turtle and how to avoid this please click on the the 'Injured Turtle' webpage on our website. Thank you.
14. THINK TURTLE EVENTS (AUGUST)
As part of our ongoing education and awareness initiatives Think Turtle will be participating in the events listed below during the month of August. We will be set-up to answer questions and chat with people about the various ways we can all help the Ontario Turtles that we observe on our property and during our travels as well as the resources available to help turtles in Ontario.
BANCROFT FARMERS’ MARKET
Date: Saturday August 13, 2022
Location: Riverside Park (behind the post office)
Address: 26 Station Street, Bancroft
Time: 8:00 am to 1:00 pm
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MAYNOOTH FARMERS’ MARKET
Date: Saturday August 20, 2022
Location: Memories Tearoom (on the front lawn)
Address: 33057 Highway 62, Maynooth
Time: 8:00 am to 1:00 pm
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BANCROFT FARMERS’ MARKET
Date: Saturday August 27, 2022
Location: Riverside Park (behind the post office)
Address: 26 Station Street, Bancroft
Time: 8:00 am to 1:00 pm
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Merchandise
We will have ‘Watch 4 Turtles’ signs, bumper stickers, car magnets and other turtle related merchandise available to purchase. The proceeds from all sales will go towards supporting the awareness raising initiatives and species recovery efforts Think Turtle Conservation Initiative is engage in.
There will also have a selection of ‘Crafting 4 Turtles’ handcrafted items available for purchase. The proceeds from all sales will go towards the treatment and care of injured turtles admitted to the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre home of Ontario’s turtle hospital this turtle season.
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For more information about helping turtles checkout our website at thinkturtle.ca, follow us on Facebook or read our posts on the Think Turtle Conservation Initiative Wordpress Blog.
If you have a turtle related question please do not hesitate to call or text Kelly at Think Turtle Conservation Initiative 647-606-9537.
Thank you most ardently for your concern for the turtles and the ways in which you help Ontario's turtles, other wildlife and natural habitat. All efforts big and small make a difference!
Wishing you an especially nice day. Take care and stay safe.
With Thanks & Appreciation,
Kelly Wallace, Managing Director
Think Turtle Conservation Initiative
Cell/Text: 647-606-9537
E-mail: thinkturtle@yahoo.com
Facebook: thinkturtleci
Username: Wallace Kathleen Kelly
Website: thinkturtle.ca