If you've been out on the water lately, or even just driving the roads, you may have already spotted one. Maybe sitting out on a sun-warmed log, or slowly making its way across the road. It's turtle season in Muskoka, and with it comes a familiar, endearing sight of mid-late spring: a car pulled over on the shoulder, hazards blinking, and someone crouched down carefully wheel-barrowing a turtle to safety.
We love this about Muskoka.
Painted Turtle On the Move - Photo: Mary Schankula
Turtles are such special creatures. Ancient, unhurried, and remarkably skittish...they'll usually slip off a log and disappear into the water the moment they sense a human nearby. I can't say I blame them! ;)
For me, seeing a turtle always feels like a gift. But this time of year also brings real danger for them, and I think that understanding a little more about what they're up to, and why, can make a difference.
Why are there so many turtles on the move right now?
It's nesting season. From mid May through early July, females leave the water looking for the perfect spot to lay their eggs. Perfect, according to a female turtle, is loose, well-drained, sandy soil with plenty of sun. Unfortunately, the soft shoulders of our roads check every one of those boxes. They don't sense the danger, but they have a very strong sense of direction. Move a turtle away from a spot she's chosen and she'll likely turn right back around. They know where they want to go.
Hatchling Snapper - Photo:Mary Schankula
Who's out there?
Ontario is home to eight turtle species (more than any other province) and seven can be found right here in Muskoka: painted, snapping, Blanding's, northern map, eastern musk, spotted, and wood. Sadly, six of those seven are species at risk. Turtles are slow to mature and only about one percent of hatchlings ever reach adulthood, which means every adult lost to a vehicle is a real blow to the local population.
You can read more about Ontario's 8 turtle species by clicking here.
How to help a turtle safely.
If a turtle appears to be nesting at the roadside (staying put and/or digging) leave her be. You can report the sighting to START (Saving Turtles At Risk Today) at 705.955.4284 or visit cwf-fcf.org/en/explore/turtles/start-muskoka-turtle-project.html. They do incredible work tracking and protecting turtles across our region.
Camouflage - Photo: Mary Schankula
If a turtle is on the move toward traffic:
- If it's safe to do so, pull over and put on your hazards. On busier roads, pause traffic in both directions if you can.
- Always move the turtle in the direction it was already heading, not back to the water, which may not be where it's going.
- For snapping turtles, use the wheelbarrow method: grip the shell firmly near the tail from behind, tip slightly, and walk it forward. Snapping turtles can be very large (up to 16 kg) with long, mobile necks, and they will bite. From behind, they can't reach you. For a no-touch option, you can encourage the turtle to bite onto a stick and use that to guide it across. (Fair warning: their legs move surprisingly fast. It's a lot funnier than you'd expect.)
This species can live to an extraordinary old age. One of the oldest recorded snapping turtles, a female from Haliburton County, is estimated to have lived 125 years. - For all other species, pick the turtle up with both hands on either side of the shell and carry it across. Simple and safe. If you're squeamish, you can use gloves!
- Once it's across, let it go. You've done your part.
Ancient Footing - Photo: Mary Schankula
Why it matters.
Turtles help keep our lakes healthy. They're natural scavengers, cleaning up dead and decaying matter from the bottom. They are, in every sense, part of what makes Muskoka what it is. They've been here far longer than we have...surviving dinosaurs, ice ages, and everything in between.
Surely we can manage to stop the car.
