Turtles on the move in Innisfil
By Jen Howard

Here in Innisfil, we have an some precious wetlands. These wetlands are disappearing and along with them so are the turtles. Between May and September the turtles can be on the move. Looking for better wetlands with more food, nesting grounds and newly hatched looking for water.

In Ontario we have 8 species of turtles. Out of that 8 we have 6 listed as species at risk. One more, the common snapping turtle may join that list in the near future as well. This turtle can live to 100 years old, but needs to be at least 20 years old before it is ready to mate. The largest snapper to be recorded l believe in Algonquin Park was 40 cm. weighing in at 18 kg. In this species the female is half the size of the male.

The next turtle you will see here is the Midland Painted Turtle. Growing to about 12-17 cm. and weighing in at about 500 grams. These turtles like most smaller turtles are about 10-12 years old before they can mate. As you can see this is a long time for the turtles to survive before they can lay eggs. And when that long, tiresome process is complete. They finally get to lay their eggs. The eggs may be eaten almost immediately by predators or destroyed by too cold or too hot temperatures. If the young do hatch, they get hit

by cars trying to make their way to the wetland or get eaten by predators if they do make it. September is the month you may see hatchlings, so watch for them when driving around our wetlands. Only a very few survive.

Although not common, we have seen this next turtle in Innisfil. It is called a Blandings turtle. It is on the species at risk list and is quite different from the painted. It grows to a size of about 22-26 cm. and weighs in at around 2 kg. This turtle has a helmet shaped shell, not shinny like the painted. And has a beautiful yellow throat. Is very hard not to notice this turtle is different.

They to have to be about 12 years old before they are ready to mate and lay eggs.

l have been told that the blanding turtle can actually climb trees. That would be an amazing adventure for a turtle. Turtles are cold blooded and will be going into hibernation soon. They hibernate at the bottom of ponds in the mud and silt. Some between rocks or roots. The shells of a turtle consist of a top (Carapace) and a bottom (Plastron). These are joined by a bridge. The shell is made up of 59-61 bones that are covered by plates called scutes. This is actually made up of keratin, same thing our fingernails are made of. But

these shells are easily damaged when hit by cars. Amazingly, there is a rescue center for turtles in Peterborough. It is part of the Peterborough Zoo. The Kawartha Turtle Trauma Center.

They can actually operate on an injured turtle and release them back into the wild. It is an amazing place run by amazing people. If you see a turtle crossing the road and it is safe for you to do so, help it across by taking it in the same direction it is headed. Only if you are safe! If you can take all the information about the surroundings, landmarks, gps if possible. Of course we don't all carry a gps unit do we? So anything you can use to ID where the turtle was seen.

Take that info and write it down and report to the Toronto Zoo. www.torontozoo.com/adopt apond. Log onto Turtle Tally and follow instructions. This in turn gets sent to the National Heritage data center as well. This helps in seeing how the turtles are doing, improving, declining. It is very important to do.

And while you are on the web page, l believe there is also a link to the turtle trauma center as well. When you are on the zoo's web page why don't you join the Turtle Tally team. You will get a turtle ID guide, poster, and other good info to help you out. Great way to help out our little friends. If you move them, handle then gently, make sure you don't have sunscreen or bug repellant on your hands, as their skin absorbs these and DO wash your hands afterwards.

These turtles have been here a long time, they deserve to continue on there existence. Teach your children to respect them, enjoy watching them. And help save our wetlands.

They house a lot more than just turtles. They are a whole world of there own. We can make a difference.