Not-So-Common Facts About the Common Snapping Turtle

Snapping Turtles survived the mass extinction that killed off dinosaurs 65 million years ago, and they haven't changed a great deal since. But due to their mostly hidden lifestyle, undeserving poor reputation, and unfortunate looks (not-so-cute animals deserve love, too!), we really don't know much about them. We do know that the Common Snapping Turtle is listed as a Species at Risk in Ontario, and is in need of our help to protect it and help it thrive in our ever-changing world. Read on to learn about these misunderstood reptiles and what we can do to help them.

Common Snapping Turtle, adult

They have a - unique - way of breathing under water in the winter.

Turtles can't survive freezing, so in order to escape the bitter cold of our Canadian winter, starting in October they will sink deep in to water bodies where it does not freeze to the bottom, typically ponds or lakes. There is more oxygen at the bottoms of ponds and lakes than in the water at the surface, but without gills, how do they take it in? Turtles are ancient creatures who have evolved many astonishing traits over millions of years, but this one ability takes the cake: butt-breathing (or cloacal respiration, technically speaking). Yes, turtles have developed the capability to take in oxygen from the water through their cloacas. While in their hibernation state, turtles require very little oxygen to stay alive, and typically the water running over them contains enough to sustain them until spring. 

They can live for decades.
Common Snapping Turtles aren't only Ontario's largest turtle species, they also have the longest lifespan. Though it's not known just exactly how long these prehistoric giants can live in the wild, but a long term mark and recapture study (type of study where turtles are captured, gently marked over a period of time) conducted in Algonquin Park suggests that they can live well over 100 years old!

It takes a long time before a female is able to reproduce.
Female Common Snapping Turtles mature very slowly, reaching sexual maturity between 15-20 years old. Once they've reached maturity, female snapping turtles lay a single clutch of approximately 40-50 eggs per year. As a turtle gets older, she becomes more prolific and has a higher chance of producing viable eggs. Turtle nests are extremely vulnerable, and research has shown that in a typical year over 80% of nests are destroyed by predators. Those who are fortunate enough to make it to the hatchling stage face an array of threats such as predators (including domestic cats, raccoons, and more), humans collecting them for the pet trade, pollution, vehicles, and much more, limiting their chances of surviving to adulthood and reproducing. 

Common Snapping Turtle, juvenile

Road mortality is one of the leading causes of turtle deaths in Ontario.

Roads are a huge problem for our turtles in Ontario. Because many roadways are built through or near wetlands, turtles have to cross them in order to get to their preferred nesting sites, leading them to be struck by vehicles. In addition to the risk posed by vehicle collisions, most roads are outlined with prime nesting material - soft, warm sand and gravel. Having this convenient bed to dig and lay eggs in draws turtles to roadways to nest, leaving them and their offspring at risk of being struck by vehicles. Because of their slow reproductive rate, and high mortality rate in all stages of life, losing even a few adult turtles each year can be detrimental to their populations causing rapid decline to the point of extirpation (local extinction), and eventual extinction. 

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How can we help Snapping Turtles and other turtles thrive?

• Help turtles cross the road safely.
  To boost their chances of survival, be extra diligent while driving, and if you happen to come across these shelled marvels, please give them a helping hand to safety. Safely pull over to the side of the road, collect the turtle using both hands (exercise caution if dealing with a large turtle or snapping turtle), and move to the nearest safe area in the direction it was heading.
  
  
• Protect eggs from predators.
  Once turtle eggs are laid, the mom covers them with a loose coat of substrate. This substrate is no match for hungry predators such as skunks or raccoons, who dig up the eggs and make a meal out of them. If you happen to have a turtle lay eggs on your property, you can protect them by covering them with a nest protector made of a simple wooden frame and wire mesh. Nest protectors can be purchased from Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre, or plans can be found online to make your own at home. Click here to learn more.
  
  
• Volunteer, donate, and educate.
  Fortunately for us & our turtles, we have organizations dedicated to helping our native turtles in need, such as the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre. The Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (home of the Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre) is a registered non-profit charity organization located in Peterborough, Ontario, that provides care for over 1000 sick and injured turtles from from across the province annually. If you find a sick or injured turtle it is important that you call the Centre immediately to get the turtle in to their care as soon as possible. Click here for OTCC contact information and information on handling an injured turtle. All wildlife rehabilitation centres and most research projects in Ontario are publicly funded, meaning they operate on donations and with the help of dedicated volunteers. Without help from the public, these organizations would not exist and our native wildlife in need would be left helpless.
  
  
  

Happy trails!

- Shayna