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Module Buttons
Click on each button to learn what they do!
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IMPORTANT!
A Turtle Guardian always puts the safety of themselves and other people first! Turtle Guardians understand the rules of the road and only enter a road with guidance and an adult.
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Watch the Video!
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Hi! I’m Professor Turtle! I’m going to come along with you as you become a Turtle Guardian!
PS: I’ll be at the bottom of the screen on each page. Click on me if you need help, or to learn the definition of new words!
Click the next button to move on!
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Module Menu
1. What Will We Learn?
6. The Life of a Turtle
2. About Turtle Guardians
7. Ways to Help!
3. Why are Turtles Important?
8. Quiz
9. Congrats!
4. Identifying Turtles
5. Threats to Turtles
Yellow modules are ones you can access. Grey modules are ones you haven't made it to yet. Click the first module to get started!
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What Will We Learn?
1. About the Turtle Guardians Program
2. Why Turtles are important
5. The Life of a Turtle
3. How to Identify Turtles
6. Ways to Help!
4. Threats to Turtles
7. Quiz Time!
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Module Menu
1. What Will We Learn?
6. The Life of a Turtle
2. About Turtle Guardians
7. Ways to Help!
3. Why are Turtles Important?
8. Quiz
8. Quiz
9. Congrats!
4. Identifying Turtles
5. Threats to Turtles
Yellow modules are ones you can access. Grey modules are ones you haven't made it to yet. Click the first module to get started!
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About Turtle Guardians
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What We Do
Click on the words to learn what they mean!
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What We Do: Research
We'll learn more about why this work is important later, when we learn about threats!
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What We Do: Education and Outreach
Next
What We Do: Mitigation
Next
Who Are Turtle Guardians?
Next
Knowledge Check!
Click the answer that is true. Turtle Guardians do research on:
a) Nesting turtle moms, collecting turtle eggs in unsafe spots, and places turtles live like wetlands.
Correct!
b) Where turtles spend the summer.
Try Again!
c) What turtles eat.
Try Again!
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Module Menu
1. What Will We Learn?
6. The Life of a Turtle
2. About Turtle Guardians
7. Ways to Help!
3. Why are Turtles Important?
8. Quiz
9. Congrats!
4. Identifying Turtles
5. Threats to Turtles
Yellow modules are ones you can access. Grey modules are ones you haven't made it to yet. Click the first module to get started!
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Why Are Turtles Important?
Next
Seed Spreaders
Turtles spread seeds through their poop! They are important farmers, making new habitat for other creatures.
Next
Clean Up Crews
Snappers keep lakes clean for us to enjoy!
Next
Keystone Species
Next
Next
I wonder what would happen if the turtle disappeared...
Cultural Importance
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Module Menu
1. What Will We Learn?
6. The Life of a Turtle
2. About Turtle Guardians
7. Ways to Help!
3. Why are Turtles Important?
8. Quiz
9. Congrats!
4. Identifying Turtles
5. Threats to Turtles
Yellow modules are ones you can access. Grey modules are ones you haven't made it to yet. Click the first module to get started!
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Turtle Identification
Next
Parts of a Turtle
Scute
Carapace
Bridge
Plastron
Click each word to hear how it is pronounced.
Next
*telling the different types of painted turtle apart will not be on the final quiz.
Next
Next
Next
Watch the Video!
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Next
Next
Puzzle Time!
Complete the puzzle on the next page to reveal the size difference between male and female Spiny Softshell Turtles!
Next
Next
Next
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FUN FACT!
Next
Knowledge Check!
Which is the Blanding's Turtle?
Correct! Blanding's Turtles have a yellow chin and domed carapace!
Try Again!
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Module Menu
1. What Will We Learn?
6. The Life of a Turtle
2. About Turtle Guardians
7. Ways to Help!
3. Why are Turtles Important?
8. Quiz
9. Congrats!
4. Identifying Turtles
5. Threats to Turtles
Yellow modules are ones you can access. Grey modules are ones you haven't made it to yet. Click the first module to get started!
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Species At Risk
Next
Threats
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Roads
I need to find a place to lay my eggs...
I need to find a mate...
I need to find water!
I need to get to my summer home...
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Predators
Next
Habitat Loss
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Invasive Species
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Poaching
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Fears & Myths
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Long Lives
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Knowledge Check!
What is the biggest threat to freshwater turtles of North America?
a) Roads
Correct!
b) Poaching
Try Again!
c) Habitat Loss
Try Again!
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Module Menu
1. What Will We Learn?
6. The Life of a Turtle
2. About Turtle Guardians
7. Ways to Help!
3. Why are Turtles Important?
8. Quiz
9. Congrats!
4. Identifying Turtles
5. Threats to Turtles
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The Life of a Turtle
Next
Turtles bask a lot to warm up after hibernation! Males are on the move to look for mates, and hatchlings emerge from their nests if they overwintered there!
Click on the video to watch!
Next
Mother turtles travel far to find the perfect place to lay their eggs. This means they are moving across roads!
Next
In the heat of the summer, turtles will keep cool in the water, and bask in the mornings and evenings.
Next
Find all the hidden turtles!
Next
ANSWER
Time for hatchlings to emerge from their eggs! Adult turtles move to hibernation sites.
a baby snapper emerges from their egg in our incubator!
Next
Turtles must hunker down for the winter months under water where they are safe from freezing temperatures!
Click on the video to watch!
I can breathe through my WHAAT?!
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Navigation
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Module Menu
1. What Will We Learn?
6. The Life of a Turtle
2. About Turtle Guardians
7. Ways to Help!
3. Why are Turtles Important?
8. Quiz
9. Congrats!
4. Identifying Turtles
5. Threats to Turtles
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Ways to Help!
Next
Helping Them Cross!
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Nesting Turtles
click here to learn more!
Next
Injured Turtles
click here to learn more about the OTCC
Next
Watch the Video!
Next
Reporting Sightings
click here to report a sighting!
Next
Knowledge Check!
What do you think this turtle is doing?
a) Sleeping
Try Again!
b) Travelling
Try Again!
c) Nesting
Correct!
Next
Get Involved!
click here to learn more!
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Module Menu
1. What Will We Learn?
6. The Life of a Turtle
2. About Turtle Guardians
7. Ways to Help!
3. Why are Turtles Important?
8. Quiz
9. Congrats!
4. Identifying Turtles
5. Threats to Turtles
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Quiz Time!
START
1. Which is the Painted Turtle?
This is not a Painted Turtle! Please go back and review Turtle Identification and try again!
Next
Correct! Painted Turtles have red and yellow stripes on their head and neck!
2. What species is this?
a) Spotted Turtle
b) Blanding's Turtle
c) Painted Turtle
Correct! Blanding's Turtles have a bright yellow chin!
Incorrect! Please review Turtle Identification and try again.
Next
3. Which is the Spiny Softshell Turtle?
This is not a Softshell! Please go back and review Turtle Identification and try again!
Next
Correct! Softshells have a long snorkel nose and no hard shell!
4. What species is this?
a) Wood Turtle
b) Northern Map Turtle
c) Spotted Turtle
Correct! Wood Turtles have orange legs and a dark head!
Incorrect! Please review Turtle Identification and try again.
Next
5. Which is the Musk Turtle?
This is not a Musk Turtle! Please go back and review Turtle Identification and try again!
Next
Correct! Musk Turtles are small with a domed shell.
6. Which is the Spotted Turtle?
This is not a Spotted Turtle! Please go back and review Turtle Identification and try again!
Next
Correct! Spotted Turtles have yellow and orange spots!
7. What species is this?
a) Snapping Turtle
b) Spotted Turtle
c) Blanding's Turtle
Correct! Blanding's Turtles have a domed shell and yellow chin!
Incorrect! Please review Turtle Identification and try again.
Next
8. Which is the Snapping Turtle?
This is not a Snapping Turtle! Please go back and review Turtle Identification and try again!
Next
Correct! Snapping Turtles have big feet and heads, and look like dinosaurs!
9. What species is this?
a) Wood Turtle
b) Painted Turtle
c) Northern Map Turtle
Correct! Map Turtles have a ridge on their carapace and yellow lines on the face!
Incorrect! Please review Turtle Identification and try again.
Next
10. What species is this?
a) Musk Turtle
b) Painted Turtle
c) Blanding's Turtle
Correct! Painted Turtles have ted and yellow on their body with a smooth dark carapace!
Incorrect! Please review Turtle Identification and try again.
Next
11. Which is the Musk Turtle?
This is not a Musk Turtle! Please go back and review Turtle Identification and try again!
Next
Correct! Musk Turtles have domed shells and 2 lines on each side of the face.
12. Which is the Wood Turtle?
This is not a Wood Turtle! Please go back and review Turtle Identification and try again!
Next
Correct! Wood Turtles have orange limbs and a textured carapace!
Module Menu
1. What Will We Learn?
6. The Life of a Turtle
2. About Turtle Guardians
7. Ways to Help!
3. Why are Turtles Important?
8. Quiz
4. Identifying Turtles
9. Congrats!
5. Threats to Turtles
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CONGRATULATIONS!!
click here to download your certificate!
click here to order an official TG Card!
FILL OUT FORM
BACK TO START
Please Fill Out the Completion Form!
Audio Transcript:
Let’s learn how to identify some turtle species! These are the 8 species of freshwater turtle that can be found in Canada. These species can also be found in other parts of North America!
Raising Awareness!
Turtle Guardians don’t just help turtles, they also spread the word to others! Turtle Guardians let other people know that turtles need our help, and encourage them to get involved. These volunteers participated in a Christmas parade with the Turtle Guardians staff!
Click on the middle of the video to play. You can make the video full screen by clicking the button in the top right. This will open the video in another tab.
Audio Transcript:
If you come across an injured turtle, it is important that we never leave them to suffer. Turtles are incredible healers and can survive serious injuries! Place the injured turtle in a container with holes in the lid. You can even add a dry towel in the bottom to keep them comfortable. Do not feed or give the turtle water! It is important to note the location where you found the turtle, so that they can be released once they get better. The turtle will need to go to a wildlife rehabber to get better. In Ontario, the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre has special veterinarians who are experts at fixing turtles. Once the turtles heal, they release them back into the wild where they were found!
Audio Transcript:
You can also help turtles by reporting sightings! When you see a turtle, take a photo and note the location. Then you can report that you saw them on our website. Reporting sightings helps us to understand how turtle populations are doing, where turtles are, and to find hotspots where many turtles are crossing the road and need extra help. This can help us decide where to install turtle fencing, or where we need more volunteers!
Audio Transcript:
Softshell turtles seem odd compared to the rest of the turtles, because they dont have a hard shell! Instead, their carapace is like a flat leathery pancake! They have a long snout-like nose that they use like a snorkel, and big flippers for feet. This makes the softshell a very fast swimmer! Girls get much larger than the boys, reaching around the same size as a big Snapping Turtle (52cm max), where the boys stay much smaller.Spiny Softshells like to live in big rivers, and sometimes big lakes. They like to bury themselves in the mud in the shallow water, using their snorkel nose to breathe! The spiny softshell looks similar to other Softshell species found in the US, but can be identified by the small spines on the front edge of their carapace. This is the only Softshell turtle in Canada.
Audio Transcript:
Turtles have to hibernate during the winter. This type of hibernation is called BRUMATION. Aquatic turtles hibernate under water, at the bottom of lakes and wetlands. They must choose a safe spot with stable water levels, enough oxygen in the water, and a layer of ice to keep heat in. As the temperature drops, the turtle’s heart rate will slow down to just a few beats per minute. They will not eat all winter long. Some will move very little or not at all - like they are sleeping. Others will hibernate in a group and may move around to interact with each other. During the rest of the year, turtles use their lungs to breathe just like us - so how do they breathe under water all winter long?! Well, we believe they breathe through their butts!! Some turtles have special vessels on their CLOACA, or bum that allows them to pull oxygen from the water, instead of using their nose or mouth to pull oxygen into their lungs. This is called CLOACAL RESPIRATION. Some species of turtles can also pull oxygen out of the water through their tongues and throats!
Audio Transcript:
It’s obvious how the spotted turtle got its name! They have a smooth dark carapace with yellow or orange spots on it. Their head and legs are black with orange/yellow spots on them too. Males have dark eyes and chin while females have orange eyes and a lighter chin! Their plastron is yellowy/orange with black blotches. These turtles are quite small, only reaching about the same length as a pen (13cm). Spotted turtles are a bit picky when it comes to their habitat. They prefer BOGS and FENS, and sometimes shallow marshes.
Click on the middle of the video to play. You can make the video full screen by clicking the button in the top right. This will open the video in another tab.
Audio Transcript:
Once the snow melts and the weather starts to warm up, turtles come out of HIBERNATION and spend lots of time basking in the sun. Once their temperature has increased from the heat of the sun, they are on the move! Male turtles move to different places looking for mates. Turtles are also on the move to their summer homes. This means they might need to go across roads if the road is between their winter and summer homes! Sometimes baby turtles like Painted Turtles, stay in their nest from the time they hatch out of their egg at the end of summer until spring! Now, in early spring it's time for them to dig out of the nest and find water!
Click on the middle of the video to play. You can make the video full screen by clicking the button in the top right. This will open the video in another tab.
Volunteers!
Volunteers who participate in our community science programs are Turtle Guardians! They monitor roads and wetlands and report what turtles they see! They also help turtles cross safely, watch nesting turtles, and protect turtle nests! Click the link button to learn more:
Audio Transcript:
The Common Snapping Turtle looks like a little dinosaur, with its large body, scaly legs with long claws and long spiked tail. Although the HATCHLINGS start out the size of a loonie, they can grow larger than a dinner plate (50cm long max carapace), making them one of the largest freshwater turtles in Canada! Snapping turtles are a dark green/grey/brownish with no pretty colours on them. They have a big head with a pointy beak. Snapping Turtles can be found in lakes, ponds, rivers, and WETLANDS.The common snapping turtle can be confused with the Alligator Snapping Turtle. Common Snapping Turtles are the only snapper found in Canada. The Alligator Snapping Turtle is found in the Southeastern US.
Worms are one of a Wood Turtle's favourite food! Some have been seen stomping their feet on the ground, doing a "rain dance". The vibration on the ground tricks worms into coming to the surface because they think it's raining.
Click on the middle of the video to play. You can make the video full screen by clicking the button in the top right. This will open the video in another tab.
Audio Transcript:
It’s quiz time! Time to show off how much you’ve learned!
Audio Transcript:
The Northern Map turtle may look similar to a painted turtle at first glance, but these turtles have no red lines on them, only yellow! They have yellow lines on their head, neck and legs. Map turtles have a green/brown carapace with a distinct ridge or keel (a pointy part) running along its back. They also have a serrated edge on the back of their carapace (like a bread knife). Female map turtles get much larger than the males, reaching the size of a piece of printer paper (27cm). Females also have a large jaw made of keratin that helps them break apart clams and mussels - their favorite food! Map Turtles can be found in large rivers and lakes, and spend lots of time basking on logs or rocks. There are many other different types of map turtles found throughout North America that look similar to the Northern Map Turtle.
Audio Transcript:
As the temperature heats up, most turtles prefer to spend their time in the water where it is cool. Many turtles will bask in the morning and evening, and spend the heat of the day under water. Turtles can overheat! Turtles are COLD BLOODED, and cannot cool their own body down like we can. When we get too hot, we sweat, when a dog gets too hot they pant. A turtle can't do that, so they must stay in cool places, like the water or shade when it's hot out.
Audio Transcript:
There are 8 turtles hidden on this page! Can you find them all? Click the ANSWER button to reveal where they are!
Phragmites
Phragmites Australis, or Common Reed is an invasive plant that is native to Eurasia and was likely introduced to North America in the 1800s. It quickly crowds out native plants, eventually taking over wetlands and shorelines and destroying habitat for lots of wildlife including turtles. This plant is easily spread by people unknowingly carrying its root fragments and seeds on their shoes. We can help reduce the spread by learning how to identify it and staying on designated trails. Learn more here:
Midland Painted Turtles have a small dark center on their yellow/orange plastron. This can be very faded sometimes.
Audio Transcript:
We are designing turtle fencing that directs the turtles underneath the road instead of traveling across where they are in danger from cars. The fencing leads the turtles safely through a CULVERT or drain that is already under the road. We work with roads departments to check for turtle nests along roadsides before maintenance occurs. Turtle Guardians are also creating alternative nesting mounds - these are big piles of dirt and gravel that we place in safe areas in hopes that the turtles will choose them instead of the dangerous roadsides to lay their eggs.
Western Painted Turtles have a pretty plastron - with a butterfly-like shape on a red/orange background. The Western painted turtle does not have red stripes on their neck like the Eastern and Midland do.
Click on the middle of the video to play. You can make the video full screen by clicking the button in the top right. This will open the video in another tab.
Audio Transcript:
Turtles are important culturally to Indigenous people. North America is also known as Turtle Island. The turtle plays a key role in the creation story, and represents Truth in the Seven Grandfather Teachings. Watch the video to learn about the Anishinabek creation story.
Audio Transcript:
Turtles spread seeds of plants through their poop, so you can think of them like farmers! Snappers and Painted Turtles love to eat plants that live in water, like pond lilies, and they eat their seeds too! They aren’t very good at digesting them though. Then they move around their home to new places. When they poop out the seeds whole, a new plant grows! The new plants are HABITAT for other creatures! Lots of other turtles spread seed too! For example, the Mayapple plant relies on the Eastern Box Turtle to spread its seeds.
Audio Transcript:
Let's learn about the Turtle Guardians program!
Audio Transcript:
Our turtles are disappearing because of threats that make it harder for them to survive. There are many threats to the freshwater turtles of North America. Let's take a look at them.
Audio Transcript:
All of Ontario’s turtles are species at risk. A species at risk is a plant or animal that is in danger of disappearing from the wild. There are different levels of risk. Click on the levels to learn more.
Audio Transcript:
It's now been about 2 months since momma turtle laid her eggs, and they are ready to hatch! The baby turtles push out of their eggs and climb out of the nest. The little turtles must now make a big journey to the nearest water before they get too hot, or eaten by a predator! Some baby turtles, like Painted Turtles, will choose to stay in their nest all winter long with their siblings, and emerge in the spring! Adult turtles are on the move too! It's time for them to return back to their winter homes, and get ready to hibernate. Many turtles will return to the same place to hibernate each year!
Audio Transcript:
So once you become a Turtle Guardian, what's next? There are lots of ways to get involved! You can become a Community Scientist and join one of our volunteer programs! You must register with an adult, so ask your parents before signing up! You can learn about our programs by clicking the link button, or by visiting our website.
Audio Transcript:
To become a turtle guardian, there are things we need to know! We’ll learn: -about the turtle guardians program -why turtles are important -how to identify turtles -threats to turtles -the life of a turtle
and -ways to help! Throughout the module, there will be knowledge checks and fun activities! At the end, we will test your knowledge with a little quiz!
-finally, you will be able to download your official turtle guardian certificate and have the option to order a TG card!
Audio Transcript:
Congratulations Turtle Guardian! You have completed the module! You can download your certificate on this page! You can also order an official TG card! Be sure to fill out the completion form so that we know you are now officially a Turtle Guardian! Thank you for caring about turtles!
The Eastern Painted Turtle has an unmarked yellow/orange plastron. The scutes on the carapace form even rows across the back. The front edges of the scutes on the carapace have a yellow-green colour band.
Audio Transcript:
Eastern Musk Turtles are one of the smallest turtles in North America, growing only to the size of a grapefruit (15cm max). They are a green to black colour with a very domed carapace. They have a big head with a pointy nose. They have 2 white-yellow lines running along each side of the face (you can remember these as their stink lines!).These little turtles have a small plastron that doesn’t help much in protecting them from predators, so they have to have other lines of defense. Musk turtles may try to bite when scared. Eastern Musk Turtles get the nickname “Stinkpot” because they can release a stinky smell or musk from its sides (near the bridge) when afraid! The smell may ward off a predator trying to eat them! Musk Turtles are in the same family and are similar to Mud Turtles, found in the US.
Caeden
This is Caeden. He became a Turtle Guardian by attending Turtle Camp! In the summer of 2024, Caeden and his family had an ice cream fundraiser to raise money for Turtle Guardians! He raised over $800!
We asked Caeden some questions about being a Turtle Guardian. Here are his answers:
Q: What does it mean to be a Turtle Guardian?
To me, being a Turtle Guardian means helping to protect Ontario's endangered turtles. For example, helping them to safely cross the road by picking them up and moving them in the direction they are going.
Q: Why are turtles important/why do I care about turtles?
Turtles are important because they are keystone species, which means they hold up an entire ecosystem. Without them, ecosystems would fall apart. They are also important because they help to clean our lakes by eating debris off the bottom. I care about turtles because they are a very important species and I don't want them to go extinct. Q:My favourite turtle species
My two favourite turtle species are Wood turtles and Blandings turtles. I like them the best because I think it's cool that Wood turtles live in forests, and because Blandings turtles have yellow on their chins that make it look like they are smiling.
Audio Transcript:
Turtles need a healthy HABITAT with food, water and shelter to survive. Take a look at the 2 photos. Which place would you rather hangout at? Which do you think a turtle would prefer? Many people like the look of the sandy beach, but it's the more natural shoreline that the turtles need! Many turtles like the tiny Musk Turtle hangout in the shallows of lakes, using the weeds as shelter and food. When we change the shoreline of our cottages and homes to look more like a beach vacation, this has a negative effect on the turtles. Turtle habitat is also lost when people build large developments, and fill in wetlands - remember turtles do not relocate well, so we can’t just move them to a new home if we fill in the water where they live! For the more TERRESTRIAL wood turtle, logging and destruction of forests is also an issue.
BLANDING'S TURTLE
Species can be at risk globally across the whole world, federally across a whole country, or they can be at risk across a whole province or state like Ontario. For example, the Blanding's Turtle is: -Globally: Endangered -Federally: Endangered
-Provincially: Threatened
Audio Transcript:
Here is a snapping turtle in her ecosystem. Click on different things to learn how they rely on the turtle!
Audio Transcript:
Roads are the biggest threat to freshwater turtles of North America. Roads are EVERYWHERE! Turtles were here before roads existed. We built roads right through their habitat, splitting wetlands in half, and putting them in the paths they follow. Imagine someone splitting your house in half - you couldn't just use half of your house! We use different rooms for different reasons - like our bedroom to sleep and the kitchen to eat. A turtle uses their whole home too! This means if a road is built in their home, they will have to cross it at some point. Turtles have to cross roads for lots of reasons in their life. Click on the pictures to learn more.
Audio Transcript:
Later in the spring, it's time for mother turtles to lay their eggs. These moms can travel far, even several kms to find the perfect spot to dig a nest! We see lots of turtles crossing roads and on the move at this time of year. Mother turtles want to choose a spot to dig their nest that is sunny, easy to dig, and won’t flood to keep the eggs safe. Unfortunately, to many momma turtles the perfect place to lay her eggs looks like gravel roads or road shoulders because they meet all of these needs! Once she finds a good spot, she will often return to that same place each year to nest! It can take mom hours to dig her nest, lay her eggs and then carefully bury them. Once she’s done, she leaves - her job is done and the eggs are on their own!
Audio Transcript:
Why is it important for us to protect turtles? Why do we care about turtles? Let’s explore the different reasons turtles are important!
Audio Transcript:
We teach people of all ages about turtles, and get them excited about helping turtles in their community! We visit schools, retirement homes, libraries, fairs and other events with our live teaching turtles. People from near and far visit our headquarters to meet the turtles, and kids attend our turtle camp in the summer! We also make resources for teachers to use in the classroom.
Click on the middle of the video to play. You can make the video full screen by clicking the button in the top right. This will open the video in another tab.
Audio Transcript:
Blanding’s Turtles are known for their long neck and bright yellow chin. They always look like they're smiling! They have a dark domed carapace that has flecks of yellow and looks like an army helmet from far away. Their plastron is yellow with black blotches. Blandings turtles have a hinge in their plastron that allows them to close up like a box for protection! Blanding's turtles like shallow water bodies like wetlands, and the edges of lakes. They are more TERRESTRIAL than many freshwater turtles, travelling over land.
Click on the middle of the video to play. You can make the video full screen by clicking the button in the bottom right corner of the video.
Audio Transcript:
Turtles live a long slow life - where they take a long time to become adults and have babies that survive to replace them in the environment. This lifestyle worked for turtles for millions of years, until people came along. Now, there are so many threats that less than 1% or less than 1 in 100 turtles are surviving to adulthood! It takes a snapping turtle about 60 years to have one baby that will survive to replace them! So how long do turtles really live? Well, a study in Algonquin Park estimates that Snapping Turtles could live up to 400 years!
Audio Transcript:
Our staff are out researching turtles by patrolling roads where we know turtles are crossing. We do this during nesting season, when the turtle moms are moving across roads to where they are going to lay their eggs. We measure and weigh the turtles we find, and record information about where they were found, the temperature, and time of day! Our researchers are trained under special PERMITS to carefully dig up turtle eggs that are laid in unsafe spots, like the side of the road, a driveway or a playground. We bring those eggs back to our incubator - a box that will keep the eggs safe and warm until they are ready to hatch. Once the babies hatch, after about 2 months, we release them back into the wild into the closest water to where they were found (within 1km)! In areas where the eggs don’t need to be excavated, our staff and trained volunteers keep the nests safe by installing nest protectors. We are researching the places where turtles live too - like WETLANDS. We monitor wetlands, record what animals and plants are living in them, and map them too!
Audio Transcript:
This is Professor turtle. He will be on the bottom of each page. Click on him if you need help, or to learn the definition of new words!
Audio Transcript:
Turtle Guardians is a program of The Land Between Charity. We connect kids and communities with nature, and protect turtles and their homes! We do this through: Research, Education and Outreach, and Mitigation. Click on each word to learn what they mean!
Audio Transcript:
Snapping Turtles are the clean-up crew of our lakes, rivers and wetlands! They eat a lot of CARRION- the gross dead stuff that falls to the bottom! This is very important work so that we can swim in and enjoy lakes, rivers and wetlands and so that other wildlife has a healthy habitat to survive! Click on the snapping turtle to clean up the lake bottom!
Audio Transcript:
Many kinds of Turtles are KEYSTONE SPECIES. When building, a key stone is the most important rock in an arch that locks all of the other rocks together, ensuring the arch is secure. In nature, a keystone species is a plant or an animal that the other things depend on to survive, and if they disappeared, there would be a big effect on the ECOSYSTEM.
Audio Transcript:
One of the simplest ways we can help turtles is to help them cross the road! Watch the video to learn how.
Audio Transcript:
How does a turtle spend the year? What do they do in each season? Let’s find out!
Audio Transcript:
You may come across a nesting turtle in the late spring, around the month of June in Ontario. Turtles tend to nest in the early morning or evening. Nesting turtles will look like they are digging, sitting in a hole, or even searching for a perfect spot to dig. If you come across a nesting turtle, keep your distance and stay quiet to ensure you don't spook them! Then, call Turtle Guardians to report the nesting turtle and we will help you figure out next steps! Turtle Guardians or other researchers with permits may be able to come and dig up the eggs and incubate them if they are in an unsafe spot. If the nest is on your property, you can place a nest protector over the nest to keep it safe from predators! You can learn more on our website.
Click on the middle of the video to play. You can make the video full screen by clicking the button in the bottom right corner of the video.
Audio Transcript:
How do turtles NAVIGATE to their nesting and hibernation sites, and around their homes? Turtles are expert navigators, and have an internal compass that keeps them from getting lost within their HOME RANGE. Young turtles create “mental maps” of their homes. As they get older, it seems that it becomes harder to create new maps and learn new homes, which is why we never relocate turtles out of their home ranges. Relocated turtles will be lost and very confused, and could even die. Imagine being suddenly transported to a different country, where you have never been and can’t speak the language - you would be lost and confused too! We believe North American turtles also use the position of the sun in the sky, and the earth’s magnetic fields to navigate too. We know that sea turtles have MAGNETITE in their brains, meaning their brains are like compasses! It is possible that freshwater turtles have this too!
Audio Transcript:
If you come across an injured turtle, it is important that we never leave them to suffer. Turtles are incredible healers and can survive serious injuries! Place the injured turtle in a container with holes in the lid. You can even add a dry towel in the bottom to keep them comfortable. Do not feed or give the turtle water! It is important to note the location where you found the turtle, so that they can be released once they get better. The turtle will need to go to a wildlife rehabber to get better. In Ontario, the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre has special veterinarians who are experts at fixing turtles. Once the turtles heal, they release them back into the wild where they were found!
Audio Transcript:
The Wood Turtle gets their name from their carapace, that looks like it was carved from wood. The carapace is brown/grey and rough with scutes that are covered in ridges. They have a dark head, with orange neck and legs. The plastron is yellow with black blotches. They can grow up to just longer than a brand new pencil (23cm). Wood Turtles are very TERRESTRIAL, and spend most of their summer in forests. They spend the rest of the year in rivers or streams.
Audio Transcript:
Turtle Guardians is a collective of kids and communities helping turtles and protecting wetlands. Click on the examples to learn more! After completing this module, you will have the new ROLE of being a Turtle Guardian! Turtle Guardians take on the RESPONSIBILITY of protecting turtles in your community, while also keeping yourself and others safe.
Audio Transcript:
Another threat that turtles face is fear. Fear is a strong emotion that can shape how people act. Unfortunately, the fear of Snapping Turtles is common across North America. This fear is centred around myths- or beliefs that are not true.Many people believe that the Common Snapping turtle can bite off your finger or toe - but this just isn’t true! They do not have the strength to bite off a digit, nor do they want to! Snappers do not have any teeth in their mouth, and the lining on their beak is made of keratin - the same thing that our hair and fingernails are made of! (and we know our hair and fingernails aren’t very strong). The Common Snapping Turtle only has a bite strength of about 210 newtons of force. Compared to a person, an adult can have up to 700 newtons! A lion or tiger can have around 2000. Let’s look at why Snapping Turtles snap. These turtles have evolved to have a smaller plastron than most turtles. This means that they cannot hide in their shells like other turtles can. Since they cannot hide, when a snapper is scared they must snap to protect themselves. On land, they are vulnerable because they walk slowly, cannot run and can't even walk backwards! In the water, snappers usually feel quite safe and comfortable because they are great swimmers. This means it is totally safe to swim around them, as long as you are respecting their space! Watch the video of Turtle Guardians swimming with a wild common snapper below! So, of course it would hurt if you got bitten by a Common Snapping Turtle, but they cannot bite through your bone or muscle. You would only be bitten by a snapper if you were bothering them, not respecting their space or handling them improperly (we will teach you how to safely help them off the road soon!). The only other reason a Snapper will snap is to eat. Snapping Turtles can only eat underwater, because they don’t have any saliva! They need the water to suction food into their mouths. This is why it is very important that we never feed them. Snapping Turtles have great memories and will remember areas where they find food. If you feed a turtle off of your dock, they will return and be more snappy because they are expecting a yummy treat!
Audio Transcript:
To identify different turtles, we need to learn the parts of a turtle! Turtles are one of a kind, with a shell that is made of bone and part of their spine! The top part of the shell is called the carapace. The bottom of the shell is called the plastron. The piece that connects the top and bottom together is called the bridge. The individual pieces on the shell are called scutes. Scutes are covered in a layer of keratin - which is what our hair and fingernails are made of!
Audio Transcript:
The Painted Turtle is easy to recognise! They get their name from the red and yellow stripes covering their body, that kind of look like someone painted them! Painted Turtles don't much larger than the size of an adult’s hand - about 18cm long. They have a dark smooth carapace. The outer edge and bottom of the carapace has bright red lines. Painted Turtles can be found in lots of different types of HABITATS, like ponds, lakes, and wetlands where they are often seen BASKING together on logs and rocks, sometimes even stacked on top of eachother! There are 3 types of Painted Turtle. Click on each type to learn how to tell them apart.
Audio Transcript:
Invasive Species are a big problem for our turtles! An invasive species is a plant or animal that is not native or naturally found in a place, and is causing harm to the native plants and animals. Let’s learn about 2 invasive species that threaten turtles. Click on photo to learn about Phragmites, then watch the video about the invasive Red-eared Slider!
Audio Transcript:
When we think about poaching or the illegal hunting and collecting of animals, we often think about rhinos and elephants being poached from the African savannah. But poaching doesn’t just happen to large mammals, it happens right here in North America to turtles! Generally, it is illegal to keep any species at risk as a pet. In some places like Ontario, it's illegal to keep most native species. For some turtles like the spotted and wood turtle, their beauty is their downfall because they are desired for the illegal pet trade. People will take them out of the wild to sell as pets. Other turtles like Snappers and Softshells, as well as their eggs, are poached for food as they are a delicacy in some cultures. Because of poaching, it is important that we keep the locations of where we see species at risk private. Poachers use social media to find out where the rare turtle populations are!
Audio Transcript:
Now we know that turtles are important to us and other wildlife, and that they are disappearing because of many threats! But we can help! Everyone can make a difference to help turtles - lets learn how!
Audio Transcript:
Many animals are predators to turtles - especially turtle eggs and babies! PREDATION is normal, but humans have increased some of these animal’s populations - creating too many predators. Take a look at the animals you see here. You probably recognize them! Foxes, skunks and raccoons can be found in the city and countryside, eating our trash. These animals are called “MESOPREDATORS”, predators that are in the middle of the FOOD WEB- and they do really well living around humans. So well in fact, that their populations are increasing! This means more hungry mouths looking for food. Foxes, skunks and raccoons eat lots of different things - plants, fruits and veggies, rodents, insects, and even our garbage! And they also love to eat turtle eggs and hatchlings. Naturally, these animals travel along roads and roadsides because it's easier than walking in the bush. When they do this, it is easy for them to sniff out turtle nests with their strong noses and eat many in one night! The predation rate, or amount of nests being eaten by predators is very high! In Ontario, it can be as high as 99% in areas with lots of people!
Turtle Guardian Training Module
The Land Between
Created on October 18, 2024
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Transcript
Click the next button to move on!
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Module Buttons
Click on each button to learn what they do!
Click the next button to move on!
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IMPORTANT!
A Turtle Guardian always puts the safety of themselves and other people first! Turtle Guardians understand the rules of the road and only enter a road with guidance and an adult.
Click the next button to move on!
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Watch the Video!
Click the next button to move on!
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Hi! I’m Professor Turtle! I’m going to come along with you as you become a Turtle Guardian!
PS: I’ll be at the bottom of the screen on each page. Click on me if you need help, or to learn the definition of new words!
Click the next button to move on!
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Module Menu
1. What Will We Learn?
6. The Life of a Turtle
2. About Turtle Guardians
7. Ways to Help!
3. Why are Turtles Important?
8. Quiz
9. Congrats!
4. Identifying Turtles
5. Threats to Turtles
Yellow modules are ones you can access. Grey modules are ones you haven't made it to yet. Click the first module to get started!
Next
What Will We Learn?
1. About the Turtle Guardians Program
2. Why Turtles are important
5. The Life of a Turtle
3. How to Identify Turtles
6. Ways to Help!
4. Threats to Turtles
7. Quiz Time!
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Module Menu
1. What Will We Learn?
6. The Life of a Turtle
2. About Turtle Guardians
7. Ways to Help!
3. Why are Turtles Important?
8. Quiz
8. Quiz
9. Congrats!
4. Identifying Turtles
5. Threats to Turtles
Yellow modules are ones you can access. Grey modules are ones you haven't made it to yet. Click the first module to get started!
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About Turtle Guardians
Click the next button to move on!
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What We Do
Click on the words to learn what they mean!
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What We Do: Research
We'll learn more about why this work is important later, when we learn about threats!
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What We Do: Education and Outreach
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What We Do: Mitigation
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Who Are Turtle Guardians?
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Knowledge Check!
Click the answer that is true. Turtle Guardians do research on:
a) Nesting turtle moms, collecting turtle eggs in unsafe spots, and places turtles live like wetlands.
Correct!
b) Where turtles spend the summer.
Try Again!
c) What turtles eat.
Try Again!
Next
Module Menu
1. What Will We Learn?
6. The Life of a Turtle
2. About Turtle Guardians
7. Ways to Help!
3. Why are Turtles Important?
8. Quiz
9. Congrats!
4. Identifying Turtles
5. Threats to Turtles
Yellow modules are ones you can access. Grey modules are ones you haven't made it to yet. Click the first module to get started!
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Why Are Turtles Important?
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Seed Spreaders
Turtles spread seeds through their poop! They are important farmers, making new habitat for other creatures.
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Clean Up Crews
Snappers keep lakes clean for us to enjoy!
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Keystone Species
Next
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I wonder what would happen if the turtle disappeared...
Cultural Importance
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Module Menu
1. What Will We Learn?
6. The Life of a Turtle
2. About Turtle Guardians
7. Ways to Help!
3. Why are Turtles Important?
8. Quiz
9. Congrats!
4. Identifying Turtles
5. Threats to Turtles
Yellow modules are ones you can access. Grey modules are ones you haven't made it to yet. Click the first module to get started!
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Turtle Identification
Next
Parts of a Turtle
Scute
Carapace
Bridge
Plastron
Click each word to hear how it is pronounced.
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*telling the different types of painted turtle apart will not be on the final quiz.
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Next
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Watch the Video!
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Next
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Puzzle Time!
Complete the puzzle on the next page to reveal the size difference between male and female Spiny Softshell Turtles!
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Next
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FUN FACT!
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Knowledge Check!
Which is the Blanding's Turtle?
Correct! Blanding's Turtles have a yellow chin and domed carapace!
Try Again!
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Module Menu
1. What Will We Learn?
6. The Life of a Turtle
2. About Turtle Guardians
7. Ways to Help!
3. Why are Turtles Important?
8. Quiz
9. Congrats!
4. Identifying Turtles
5. Threats to Turtles
Yellow modules are ones you can access. Grey modules are ones you haven't made it to yet. Click the first module to get started!
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Species At Risk
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Threats
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Roads
I need to find a place to lay my eggs...
I need to find a mate...
I need to find water!
I need to get to my summer home...
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Predators
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Habitat Loss
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Invasive Species
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Poaching
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Fears & Myths
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Long Lives
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Knowledge Check!
What is the biggest threat to freshwater turtles of North America?
a) Roads
Correct!
b) Poaching
Try Again!
c) Habitat Loss
Try Again!
Next
Module Menu
1. What Will We Learn?
6. The Life of a Turtle
2. About Turtle Guardians
7. Ways to Help!
3. Why are Turtles Important?
8. Quiz
9. Congrats!
4. Identifying Turtles
5. Threats to Turtles
Yellow modules are ones you can access. Grey modules are ones you haven't made it to yet. Click the first module to get started!
Next
The Life of a Turtle
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Turtles bask a lot to warm up after hibernation! Males are on the move to look for mates, and hatchlings emerge from their nests if they overwintered there!
Click on the video to watch!
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Mother turtles travel far to find the perfect place to lay their eggs. This means they are moving across roads!
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In the heat of the summer, turtles will keep cool in the water, and bask in the mornings and evenings.
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Find all the hidden turtles!
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ANSWER
Time for hatchlings to emerge from their eggs! Adult turtles move to hibernation sites.
a baby snapper emerges from their egg in our incubator!
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Turtles must hunker down for the winter months under water where they are safe from freezing temperatures!
Click on the video to watch!
I can breathe through my WHAAT?!
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Navigation
Next
Module Menu
1. What Will We Learn?
6. The Life of a Turtle
2. About Turtle Guardians
7. Ways to Help!
3. Why are Turtles Important?
8. Quiz
9. Congrats!
4. Identifying Turtles
5. Threats to Turtles
Yellow modules are ones you can access. Grey modules are ones you haven't made it to yet. Click the first module to get started!
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Ways to Help!
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Helping Them Cross!
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Nesting Turtles
click here to learn more!
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Injured Turtles
click here to learn more about the OTCC
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Watch the Video!
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Reporting Sightings
click here to report a sighting!
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Knowledge Check!
What do you think this turtle is doing?
a) Sleeping
Try Again!
b) Travelling
Try Again!
c) Nesting
Correct!
Next
Get Involved!
click here to learn more!
Next
Module Menu
1. What Will We Learn?
6. The Life of a Turtle
2. About Turtle Guardians
7. Ways to Help!
3. Why are Turtles Important?
8. Quiz
9. Congrats!
4. Identifying Turtles
5. Threats to Turtles
Yellow modules are ones you can access. Grey modules are ones you haven't made it to yet. Click the first module to get started!
Next
Quiz Time!
START
1. Which is the Painted Turtle?
This is not a Painted Turtle! Please go back and review Turtle Identification and try again!
Next
Correct! Painted Turtles have red and yellow stripes on their head and neck!
2. What species is this?
a) Spotted Turtle
b) Blanding's Turtle
c) Painted Turtle
Correct! Blanding's Turtles have a bright yellow chin!
Incorrect! Please review Turtle Identification and try again.
Next
3. Which is the Spiny Softshell Turtle?
This is not a Softshell! Please go back and review Turtle Identification and try again!
Next
Correct! Softshells have a long snorkel nose and no hard shell!
4. What species is this?
a) Wood Turtle
b) Northern Map Turtle
c) Spotted Turtle
Correct! Wood Turtles have orange legs and a dark head!
Incorrect! Please review Turtle Identification and try again.
Next
5. Which is the Musk Turtle?
This is not a Musk Turtle! Please go back and review Turtle Identification and try again!
Next
Correct! Musk Turtles are small with a domed shell.
6. Which is the Spotted Turtle?
This is not a Spotted Turtle! Please go back and review Turtle Identification and try again!
Next
Correct! Spotted Turtles have yellow and orange spots!
7. What species is this?
a) Snapping Turtle
b) Spotted Turtle
c) Blanding's Turtle
Correct! Blanding's Turtles have a domed shell and yellow chin!
Incorrect! Please review Turtle Identification and try again.
Next
8. Which is the Snapping Turtle?
This is not a Snapping Turtle! Please go back and review Turtle Identification and try again!
Next
Correct! Snapping Turtles have big feet and heads, and look like dinosaurs!
9. What species is this?
a) Wood Turtle
b) Painted Turtle
c) Northern Map Turtle
Correct! Map Turtles have a ridge on their carapace and yellow lines on the face!
Incorrect! Please review Turtle Identification and try again.
Next
10. What species is this?
a) Musk Turtle
b) Painted Turtle
c) Blanding's Turtle
Correct! Painted Turtles have ted and yellow on their body with a smooth dark carapace!
Incorrect! Please review Turtle Identification and try again.
Next
11. Which is the Musk Turtle?
This is not a Musk Turtle! Please go back and review Turtle Identification and try again!
Next
Correct! Musk Turtles have domed shells and 2 lines on each side of the face.
12. Which is the Wood Turtle?
This is not a Wood Turtle! Please go back and review Turtle Identification and try again!
Next
Correct! Wood Turtles have orange limbs and a textured carapace!
Module Menu
1. What Will We Learn?
6. The Life of a Turtle
2. About Turtle Guardians
7. Ways to Help!
3. Why are Turtles Important?
8. Quiz
4. Identifying Turtles
9. Congrats!
5. Threats to Turtles
Yellow modules are ones you can access. Grey modules are ones you haven't made it to yet. Click the first module to get started!
Next
CONGRATULATIONS!!
click here to download your certificate!
click here to order an official TG Card!
FILL OUT FORM
BACK TO START
Please Fill Out the Completion Form!
Audio Transcript:
Let’s learn how to identify some turtle species! These are the 8 species of freshwater turtle that can be found in Canada. These species can also be found in other parts of North America!
Raising Awareness!
Turtle Guardians don’t just help turtles, they also spread the word to others! Turtle Guardians let other people know that turtles need our help, and encourage them to get involved. These volunteers participated in a Christmas parade with the Turtle Guardians staff!
Click on the middle of the video to play. You can make the video full screen by clicking the button in the top right. This will open the video in another tab.
Audio Transcript:
If you come across an injured turtle, it is important that we never leave them to suffer. Turtles are incredible healers and can survive serious injuries! Place the injured turtle in a container with holes in the lid. You can even add a dry towel in the bottom to keep them comfortable. Do not feed or give the turtle water! It is important to note the location where you found the turtle, so that they can be released once they get better. The turtle will need to go to a wildlife rehabber to get better. In Ontario, the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre has special veterinarians who are experts at fixing turtles. Once the turtles heal, they release them back into the wild where they were found!
Audio Transcript:
You can also help turtles by reporting sightings! When you see a turtle, take a photo and note the location. Then you can report that you saw them on our website. Reporting sightings helps us to understand how turtle populations are doing, where turtles are, and to find hotspots where many turtles are crossing the road and need extra help. This can help us decide where to install turtle fencing, or where we need more volunteers!
Audio Transcript:
Softshell turtles seem odd compared to the rest of the turtles, because they dont have a hard shell! Instead, their carapace is like a flat leathery pancake! They have a long snout-like nose that they use like a snorkel, and big flippers for feet. This makes the softshell a very fast swimmer! Girls get much larger than the boys, reaching around the same size as a big Snapping Turtle (52cm max), where the boys stay much smaller.Spiny Softshells like to live in big rivers, and sometimes big lakes. They like to bury themselves in the mud in the shallow water, using their snorkel nose to breathe! The spiny softshell looks similar to other Softshell species found in the US, but can be identified by the small spines on the front edge of their carapace. This is the only Softshell turtle in Canada.
Audio Transcript:
Turtles have to hibernate during the winter. This type of hibernation is called BRUMATION. Aquatic turtles hibernate under water, at the bottom of lakes and wetlands. They must choose a safe spot with stable water levels, enough oxygen in the water, and a layer of ice to keep heat in. As the temperature drops, the turtle’s heart rate will slow down to just a few beats per minute. They will not eat all winter long. Some will move very little or not at all - like they are sleeping. Others will hibernate in a group and may move around to interact with each other. During the rest of the year, turtles use their lungs to breathe just like us - so how do they breathe under water all winter long?! Well, we believe they breathe through their butts!! Some turtles have special vessels on their CLOACA, or bum that allows them to pull oxygen from the water, instead of using their nose or mouth to pull oxygen into their lungs. This is called CLOACAL RESPIRATION. Some species of turtles can also pull oxygen out of the water through their tongues and throats!
Audio Transcript:
It’s obvious how the spotted turtle got its name! They have a smooth dark carapace with yellow or orange spots on it. Their head and legs are black with orange/yellow spots on them too. Males have dark eyes and chin while females have orange eyes and a lighter chin! Their plastron is yellowy/orange with black blotches. These turtles are quite small, only reaching about the same length as a pen (13cm). Spotted turtles are a bit picky when it comes to their habitat. They prefer BOGS and FENS, and sometimes shallow marshes.
Click on the middle of the video to play. You can make the video full screen by clicking the button in the top right. This will open the video in another tab.
Audio Transcript:
Once the snow melts and the weather starts to warm up, turtles come out of HIBERNATION and spend lots of time basking in the sun. Once their temperature has increased from the heat of the sun, they are on the move! Male turtles move to different places looking for mates. Turtles are also on the move to their summer homes. This means they might need to go across roads if the road is between their winter and summer homes! Sometimes baby turtles like Painted Turtles, stay in their nest from the time they hatch out of their egg at the end of summer until spring! Now, in early spring it's time for them to dig out of the nest and find water!
Click on the middle of the video to play. You can make the video full screen by clicking the button in the top right. This will open the video in another tab.
Volunteers!
Volunteers who participate in our community science programs are Turtle Guardians! They monitor roads and wetlands and report what turtles they see! They also help turtles cross safely, watch nesting turtles, and protect turtle nests! Click the link button to learn more:
Audio Transcript:
The Common Snapping Turtle looks like a little dinosaur, with its large body, scaly legs with long claws and long spiked tail. Although the HATCHLINGS start out the size of a loonie, they can grow larger than a dinner plate (50cm long max carapace), making them one of the largest freshwater turtles in Canada! Snapping turtles are a dark green/grey/brownish with no pretty colours on them. They have a big head with a pointy beak. Snapping Turtles can be found in lakes, ponds, rivers, and WETLANDS.The common snapping turtle can be confused with the Alligator Snapping Turtle. Common Snapping Turtles are the only snapper found in Canada. The Alligator Snapping Turtle is found in the Southeastern US.
Worms are one of a Wood Turtle's favourite food! Some have been seen stomping their feet on the ground, doing a "rain dance". The vibration on the ground tricks worms into coming to the surface because they think it's raining.
Click on the middle of the video to play. You can make the video full screen by clicking the button in the top right. This will open the video in another tab.
Audio Transcript:
It’s quiz time! Time to show off how much you’ve learned!
Audio Transcript:
The Northern Map turtle may look similar to a painted turtle at first glance, but these turtles have no red lines on them, only yellow! They have yellow lines on their head, neck and legs. Map turtles have a green/brown carapace with a distinct ridge or keel (a pointy part) running along its back. They also have a serrated edge on the back of their carapace (like a bread knife). Female map turtles get much larger than the males, reaching the size of a piece of printer paper (27cm). Females also have a large jaw made of keratin that helps them break apart clams and mussels - their favorite food! Map Turtles can be found in large rivers and lakes, and spend lots of time basking on logs or rocks. There are many other different types of map turtles found throughout North America that look similar to the Northern Map Turtle.
Audio Transcript:
As the temperature heats up, most turtles prefer to spend their time in the water where it is cool. Many turtles will bask in the morning and evening, and spend the heat of the day under water. Turtles can overheat! Turtles are COLD BLOODED, and cannot cool their own body down like we can. When we get too hot, we sweat, when a dog gets too hot they pant. A turtle can't do that, so they must stay in cool places, like the water or shade when it's hot out.
Audio Transcript:
There are 8 turtles hidden on this page! Can you find them all? Click the ANSWER button to reveal where they are!
Phragmites
Phragmites Australis, or Common Reed is an invasive plant that is native to Eurasia and was likely introduced to North America in the 1800s. It quickly crowds out native plants, eventually taking over wetlands and shorelines and destroying habitat for lots of wildlife including turtles. This plant is easily spread by people unknowingly carrying its root fragments and seeds on their shoes. We can help reduce the spread by learning how to identify it and staying on designated trails. Learn more here:
Midland Painted Turtles have a small dark center on their yellow/orange plastron. This can be very faded sometimes.
Audio Transcript:
We are designing turtle fencing that directs the turtles underneath the road instead of traveling across where they are in danger from cars. The fencing leads the turtles safely through a CULVERT or drain that is already under the road. We work with roads departments to check for turtle nests along roadsides before maintenance occurs. Turtle Guardians are also creating alternative nesting mounds - these are big piles of dirt and gravel that we place in safe areas in hopes that the turtles will choose them instead of the dangerous roadsides to lay their eggs.
Western Painted Turtles have a pretty plastron - with a butterfly-like shape on a red/orange background. The Western painted turtle does not have red stripes on their neck like the Eastern and Midland do.
Click on the middle of the video to play. You can make the video full screen by clicking the button in the top right. This will open the video in another tab.
Audio Transcript:
Turtles are important culturally to Indigenous people. North America is also known as Turtle Island. The turtle plays a key role in the creation story, and represents Truth in the Seven Grandfather Teachings. Watch the video to learn about the Anishinabek creation story.
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Turtles spread seeds of plants through their poop, so you can think of them like farmers! Snappers and Painted Turtles love to eat plants that live in water, like pond lilies, and they eat their seeds too! They aren’t very good at digesting them though. Then they move around their home to new places. When they poop out the seeds whole, a new plant grows! The new plants are HABITAT for other creatures! Lots of other turtles spread seed too! For example, the Mayapple plant relies on the Eastern Box Turtle to spread its seeds.
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Let's learn about the Turtle Guardians program!
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Our turtles are disappearing because of threats that make it harder for them to survive. There are many threats to the freshwater turtles of North America. Let's take a look at them.
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All of Ontario’s turtles are species at risk. A species at risk is a plant or animal that is in danger of disappearing from the wild. There are different levels of risk. Click on the levels to learn more.
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It's now been about 2 months since momma turtle laid her eggs, and they are ready to hatch! The baby turtles push out of their eggs and climb out of the nest. The little turtles must now make a big journey to the nearest water before they get too hot, or eaten by a predator! Some baby turtles, like Painted Turtles, will choose to stay in their nest all winter long with their siblings, and emerge in the spring! Adult turtles are on the move too! It's time for them to return back to their winter homes, and get ready to hibernate. Many turtles will return to the same place to hibernate each year!
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So once you become a Turtle Guardian, what's next? There are lots of ways to get involved! You can become a Community Scientist and join one of our volunteer programs! You must register with an adult, so ask your parents before signing up! You can learn about our programs by clicking the link button, or by visiting our website.
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To become a turtle guardian, there are things we need to know! We’ll learn: -about the turtle guardians program -why turtles are important -how to identify turtles -threats to turtles -the life of a turtle and -ways to help! Throughout the module, there will be knowledge checks and fun activities! At the end, we will test your knowledge with a little quiz! -finally, you will be able to download your official turtle guardian certificate and have the option to order a TG card!
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Congratulations Turtle Guardian! You have completed the module! You can download your certificate on this page! You can also order an official TG card! Be sure to fill out the completion form so that we know you are now officially a Turtle Guardian! Thank you for caring about turtles!
The Eastern Painted Turtle has an unmarked yellow/orange plastron. The scutes on the carapace form even rows across the back. The front edges of the scutes on the carapace have a yellow-green colour band.
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Eastern Musk Turtles are one of the smallest turtles in North America, growing only to the size of a grapefruit (15cm max). They are a green to black colour with a very domed carapace. They have a big head with a pointy nose. They have 2 white-yellow lines running along each side of the face (you can remember these as their stink lines!).These little turtles have a small plastron that doesn’t help much in protecting them from predators, so they have to have other lines of defense. Musk turtles may try to bite when scared. Eastern Musk Turtles get the nickname “Stinkpot” because they can release a stinky smell or musk from its sides (near the bridge) when afraid! The smell may ward off a predator trying to eat them! Musk Turtles are in the same family and are similar to Mud Turtles, found in the US.
Caeden
This is Caeden. He became a Turtle Guardian by attending Turtle Camp! In the summer of 2024, Caeden and his family had an ice cream fundraiser to raise money for Turtle Guardians! He raised over $800!
We asked Caeden some questions about being a Turtle Guardian. Here are his answers:
Q: What does it mean to be a Turtle Guardian? To me, being a Turtle Guardian means helping to protect Ontario's endangered turtles. For example, helping them to safely cross the road by picking them up and moving them in the direction they are going. Q: Why are turtles important/why do I care about turtles? Turtles are important because they are keystone species, which means they hold up an entire ecosystem. Without them, ecosystems would fall apart. They are also important because they help to clean our lakes by eating debris off the bottom. I care about turtles because they are a very important species and I don't want them to go extinct. Q:My favourite turtle species My two favourite turtle species are Wood turtles and Blandings turtles. I like them the best because I think it's cool that Wood turtles live in forests, and because Blandings turtles have yellow on their chins that make it look like they are smiling.
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Turtles need a healthy HABITAT with food, water and shelter to survive. Take a look at the 2 photos. Which place would you rather hangout at? Which do you think a turtle would prefer? Many people like the look of the sandy beach, but it's the more natural shoreline that the turtles need! Many turtles like the tiny Musk Turtle hangout in the shallows of lakes, using the weeds as shelter and food. When we change the shoreline of our cottages and homes to look more like a beach vacation, this has a negative effect on the turtles. Turtle habitat is also lost when people build large developments, and fill in wetlands - remember turtles do not relocate well, so we can’t just move them to a new home if we fill in the water where they live! For the more TERRESTRIAL wood turtle, logging and destruction of forests is also an issue.
BLANDING'S TURTLE
Species can be at risk globally across the whole world, federally across a whole country, or they can be at risk across a whole province or state like Ontario. For example, the Blanding's Turtle is: -Globally: Endangered -Federally: Endangered -Provincially: Threatened
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Here is a snapping turtle in her ecosystem. Click on different things to learn how they rely on the turtle!
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Roads are the biggest threat to freshwater turtles of North America. Roads are EVERYWHERE! Turtles were here before roads existed. We built roads right through their habitat, splitting wetlands in half, and putting them in the paths they follow. Imagine someone splitting your house in half - you couldn't just use half of your house! We use different rooms for different reasons - like our bedroom to sleep and the kitchen to eat. A turtle uses their whole home too! This means if a road is built in their home, they will have to cross it at some point. Turtles have to cross roads for lots of reasons in their life. Click on the pictures to learn more.
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Later in the spring, it's time for mother turtles to lay their eggs. These moms can travel far, even several kms to find the perfect spot to dig a nest! We see lots of turtles crossing roads and on the move at this time of year. Mother turtles want to choose a spot to dig their nest that is sunny, easy to dig, and won’t flood to keep the eggs safe. Unfortunately, to many momma turtles the perfect place to lay her eggs looks like gravel roads or road shoulders because they meet all of these needs! Once she finds a good spot, she will often return to that same place each year to nest! It can take mom hours to dig her nest, lay her eggs and then carefully bury them. Once she’s done, she leaves - her job is done and the eggs are on their own!
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Why is it important for us to protect turtles? Why do we care about turtles? Let’s explore the different reasons turtles are important!
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We teach people of all ages about turtles, and get them excited about helping turtles in their community! We visit schools, retirement homes, libraries, fairs and other events with our live teaching turtles. People from near and far visit our headquarters to meet the turtles, and kids attend our turtle camp in the summer! We also make resources for teachers to use in the classroom.
Click on the middle of the video to play. You can make the video full screen by clicking the button in the top right. This will open the video in another tab.
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Blanding’s Turtles are known for their long neck and bright yellow chin. They always look like they're smiling! They have a dark domed carapace that has flecks of yellow and looks like an army helmet from far away. Their plastron is yellow with black blotches. Blandings turtles have a hinge in their plastron that allows them to close up like a box for protection! Blanding's turtles like shallow water bodies like wetlands, and the edges of lakes. They are more TERRESTRIAL than many freshwater turtles, travelling over land.
Click on the middle of the video to play. You can make the video full screen by clicking the button in the bottom right corner of the video.
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Turtles live a long slow life - where they take a long time to become adults and have babies that survive to replace them in the environment. This lifestyle worked for turtles for millions of years, until people came along. Now, there are so many threats that less than 1% or less than 1 in 100 turtles are surviving to adulthood! It takes a snapping turtle about 60 years to have one baby that will survive to replace them! So how long do turtles really live? Well, a study in Algonquin Park estimates that Snapping Turtles could live up to 400 years!
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Our staff are out researching turtles by patrolling roads where we know turtles are crossing. We do this during nesting season, when the turtle moms are moving across roads to where they are going to lay their eggs. We measure and weigh the turtles we find, and record information about where they were found, the temperature, and time of day! Our researchers are trained under special PERMITS to carefully dig up turtle eggs that are laid in unsafe spots, like the side of the road, a driveway or a playground. We bring those eggs back to our incubator - a box that will keep the eggs safe and warm until they are ready to hatch. Once the babies hatch, after about 2 months, we release them back into the wild into the closest water to where they were found (within 1km)! In areas where the eggs don’t need to be excavated, our staff and trained volunteers keep the nests safe by installing nest protectors. We are researching the places where turtles live too - like WETLANDS. We monitor wetlands, record what animals and plants are living in them, and map them too!
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This is Professor turtle. He will be on the bottom of each page. Click on him if you need help, or to learn the definition of new words!
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Turtle Guardians is a program of The Land Between Charity. We connect kids and communities with nature, and protect turtles and their homes! We do this through: Research, Education and Outreach, and Mitigation. Click on each word to learn what they mean!
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Snapping Turtles are the clean-up crew of our lakes, rivers and wetlands! They eat a lot of CARRION- the gross dead stuff that falls to the bottom! This is very important work so that we can swim in and enjoy lakes, rivers and wetlands and so that other wildlife has a healthy habitat to survive! Click on the snapping turtle to clean up the lake bottom!
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Many kinds of Turtles are KEYSTONE SPECIES. When building, a key stone is the most important rock in an arch that locks all of the other rocks together, ensuring the arch is secure. In nature, a keystone species is a plant or an animal that the other things depend on to survive, and if they disappeared, there would be a big effect on the ECOSYSTEM.
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One of the simplest ways we can help turtles is to help them cross the road! Watch the video to learn how.
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How does a turtle spend the year? What do they do in each season? Let’s find out!
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You may come across a nesting turtle in the late spring, around the month of June in Ontario. Turtles tend to nest in the early morning or evening. Nesting turtles will look like they are digging, sitting in a hole, or even searching for a perfect spot to dig. If you come across a nesting turtle, keep your distance and stay quiet to ensure you don't spook them! Then, call Turtle Guardians to report the nesting turtle and we will help you figure out next steps! Turtle Guardians or other researchers with permits may be able to come and dig up the eggs and incubate them if they are in an unsafe spot. If the nest is on your property, you can place a nest protector over the nest to keep it safe from predators! You can learn more on our website.
Click on the middle of the video to play. You can make the video full screen by clicking the button in the bottom right corner of the video.
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How do turtles NAVIGATE to their nesting and hibernation sites, and around their homes? Turtles are expert navigators, and have an internal compass that keeps them from getting lost within their HOME RANGE. Young turtles create “mental maps” of their homes. As they get older, it seems that it becomes harder to create new maps and learn new homes, which is why we never relocate turtles out of their home ranges. Relocated turtles will be lost and very confused, and could even die. Imagine being suddenly transported to a different country, where you have never been and can’t speak the language - you would be lost and confused too! We believe North American turtles also use the position of the sun in the sky, and the earth’s magnetic fields to navigate too. We know that sea turtles have MAGNETITE in their brains, meaning their brains are like compasses! It is possible that freshwater turtles have this too!
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If you come across an injured turtle, it is important that we never leave them to suffer. Turtles are incredible healers and can survive serious injuries! Place the injured turtle in a container with holes in the lid. You can even add a dry towel in the bottom to keep them comfortable. Do not feed or give the turtle water! It is important to note the location where you found the turtle, so that they can be released once they get better. The turtle will need to go to a wildlife rehabber to get better. In Ontario, the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre has special veterinarians who are experts at fixing turtles. Once the turtles heal, they release them back into the wild where they were found!
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The Wood Turtle gets their name from their carapace, that looks like it was carved from wood. The carapace is brown/grey and rough with scutes that are covered in ridges. They have a dark head, with orange neck and legs. The plastron is yellow with black blotches. They can grow up to just longer than a brand new pencil (23cm). Wood Turtles are very TERRESTRIAL, and spend most of their summer in forests. They spend the rest of the year in rivers or streams.
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Turtle Guardians is a collective of kids and communities helping turtles and protecting wetlands. Click on the examples to learn more! After completing this module, you will have the new ROLE of being a Turtle Guardian! Turtle Guardians take on the RESPONSIBILITY of protecting turtles in your community, while also keeping yourself and others safe.
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Another threat that turtles face is fear. Fear is a strong emotion that can shape how people act. Unfortunately, the fear of Snapping Turtles is common across North America. This fear is centred around myths- or beliefs that are not true.Many people believe that the Common Snapping turtle can bite off your finger or toe - but this just isn’t true! They do not have the strength to bite off a digit, nor do they want to! Snappers do not have any teeth in their mouth, and the lining on their beak is made of keratin - the same thing that our hair and fingernails are made of! (and we know our hair and fingernails aren’t very strong). The Common Snapping Turtle only has a bite strength of about 210 newtons of force. Compared to a person, an adult can have up to 700 newtons! A lion or tiger can have around 2000. Let’s look at why Snapping Turtles snap. These turtles have evolved to have a smaller plastron than most turtles. This means that they cannot hide in their shells like other turtles can. Since they cannot hide, when a snapper is scared they must snap to protect themselves. On land, they are vulnerable because they walk slowly, cannot run and can't even walk backwards! In the water, snappers usually feel quite safe and comfortable because they are great swimmers. This means it is totally safe to swim around them, as long as you are respecting their space! Watch the video of Turtle Guardians swimming with a wild common snapper below! So, of course it would hurt if you got bitten by a Common Snapping Turtle, but they cannot bite through your bone or muscle. You would only be bitten by a snapper if you were bothering them, not respecting their space or handling them improperly (we will teach you how to safely help them off the road soon!). The only other reason a Snapper will snap is to eat. Snapping Turtles can only eat underwater, because they don’t have any saliva! They need the water to suction food into their mouths. This is why it is very important that we never feed them. Snapping Turtles have great memories and will remember areas where they find food. If you feed a turtle off of your dock, they will return and be more snappy because they are expecting a yummy treat!
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To identify different turtles, we need to learn the parts of a turtle! Turtles are one of a kind, with a shell that is made of bone and part of their spine! The top part of the shell is called the carapace. The bottom of the shell is called the plastron. The piece that connects the top and bottom together is called the bridge. The individual pieces on the shell are called scutes. Scutes are covered in a layer of keratin - which is what our hair and fingernails are made of!
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The Painted Turtle is easy to recognise! They get their name from the red and yellow stripes covering their body, that kind of look like someone painted them! Painted Turtles don't much larger than the size of an adult’s hand - about 18cm long. They have a dark smooth carapace. The outer edge and bottom of the carapace has bright red lines. Painted Turtles can be found in lots of different types of HABITATS, like ponds, lakes, and wetlands where they are often seen BASKING together on logs and rocks, sometimes even stacked on top of eachother! There are 3 types of Painted Turtle. Click on each type to learn how to tell them apart.
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Invasive Species are a big problem for our turtles! An invasive species is a plant or animal that is not native or naturally found in a place, and is causing harm to the native plants and animals. Let’s learn about 2 invasive species that threaten turtles. Click on photo to learn about Phragmites, then watch the video about the invasive Red-eared Slider!
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When we think about poaching or the illegal hunting and collecting of animals, we often think about rhinos and elephants being poached from the African savannah. But poaching doesn’t just happen to large mammals, it happens right here in North America to turtles! Generally, it is illegal to keep any species at risk as a pet. In some places like Ontario, it's illegal to keep most native species. For some turtles like the spotted and wood turtle, their beauty is their downfall because they are desired for the illegal pet trade. People will take them out of the wild to sell as pets. Other turtles like Snappers and Softshells, as well as their eggs, are poached for food as they are a delicacy in some cultures. Because of poaching, it is important that we keep the locations of where we see species at risk private. Poachers use social media to find out where the rare turtle populations are!
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Now we know that turtles are important to us and other wildlife, and that they are disappearing because of many threats! But we can help! Everyone can make a difference to help turtles - lets learn how!
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Many animals are predators to turtles - especially turtle eggs and babies! PREDATION is normal, but humans have increased some of these animal’s populations - creating too many predators. Take a look at the animals you see here. You probably recognize them! Foxes, skunks and raccoons can be found in the city and countryside, eating our trash. These animals are called “MESOPREDATORS”, predators that are in the middle of the FOOD WEB- and they do really well living around humans. So well in fact, that their populations are increasing! This means more hungry mouths looking for food. Foxes, skunks and raccoons eat lots of different things - plants, fruits and veggies, rodents, insects, and even our garbage! And they also love to eat turtle eggs and hatchlings. Naturally, these animals travel along roads and roadsides because it's easier than walking in the bush. When they do this, it is easy for them to sniff out turtle nests with their strong noses and eat many in one night! The predation rate, or amount of nests being eaten by predators is very high! In Ontario, it can be as high as 99% in areas with lots of people!