There are eight species of turtle in Ontario, and according to the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre, all eight are designated as ‘species at risk’. Yikes! Ontario is not very good to its turtles.
The threats to our turtles are typical – habitat destruction, illegal collection for food or the pet trade, and road mortality. Without human impacts, most species live at least 30-40 years and some species can live to over 100 years!
The most widespread and commonly recognized is the Painted Turtle who likes to live in lakes, ponds, streams, and wetlands and only comes ashore to nest and migrate. They are so well known because of their range (across Canada) and they are conspicuous baskers – you can see them warming themselves on shorelines, felled logs, and protruding rocks. They have a good appetite, eating insects, fish, frogs, snails, tadpoles, algae, and aquatic plants, moving from a carnivore stage when young to an herbivore stage as they age.
Next time you are travelling and see one of these beautiful creatures, be sure to avoid them and if you see them on the road, help them cross safely! Simply take them in the direction they are facing.
