Conserving Carolinian Reptiles

HELP US PROTECT TURTLES, SNAKES AND OTHER REPTILES

The Long Point Basin’s rich and impressive diversity of reptiles includes 19 species of turtles and snakes. And, whether you are a reptile-lover or a little bit leery of things that slither and crawl, it is hard not to be fascinated by turtles and snakes. Names like Map Turtle, Spotted Turtle, Stinkpot (or Musk Turtle), Spiny Softshell, or Ring-necked, Red-bellied and Hog-nosed Snake are evocative and reflect a diversity of shapes, sizes, colours, habits and habitats.

Our reptile fauna includes several species that are still relatively common, such as the Midland Painted Turtle and Garter Snake. However, the trend for a great many snakes and the majority of turtles is very worrisome since the range and population of numerous species continues to dwindle locally, provincially and nationally.

With a mission that includes the protection of natural habitats and biodiversity, and the recovery of species at risk, the Long Point Basin Land Trust is greatly concerned about the status and well-being of our region's turtle and snake species. With this in mind, the Land Trust is starting a new conservation and outreach program to help protect and recover reptile populations in the region.

The "Conserving Carolinian Reptiles" project will aid the recovery and conservation of reptile species at risk and their habitats and build community support and public participation in reptile conservation efforts. A key part of the program will be documenting reptile population status and trends and identifying important habitats. You can assist with this effort by reporting reptile sightings in the Long Point area on this website. When you see a turtle or a snake, simply fill out the form below to help us gain a better understanding of where these creatures live and how they are faring. Please fill out one form for each sighting.

You can complete the sighting report online (below) or download and print the reporting form

 

Reptile Sighting Form

Name of species observed *
(refer to identification factsheets above to help identify species)

Number of individuals observed at site *
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21+

Date and time observed *

Location *
(e.g. 50 m north of 100 Smith Street, Any town, Ontario or Lot, Concession, County or Lat/Long or UTM coordinates)

Brief description of habitat and sighting *
(e.g. 3 adult Painted Turtle basking on fallen log in cattail marsh on west side of road)

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I have provided Long Point Basin Land Trust with photos to help confirm identifications (Images can be emailed to nature@longpointlandtrust.ca)

Please describe the diagnostic features you observed which confirm identification. Please also indicate your previous experience identifying this species. If no photo is available, please be as specific as possible.

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Name of observer(s) *

Contact information of observer

Full name *

Telephone number *

Email *

I understand and consent that data on reptile sightings provided to Long Point Basin Land Trust will: help to develop strategies to conserve reptiles; will be shared with conservation partners, including governmental agencies, working to protect species at risk; and, that data collected may be contributed to the provincial reptile and amphibian atlas project, which reserves the right to include or exclude data subject to peer review. *

 

* Indicates required field

If you would like to submit additional information or photos, please email us at nature@longpointlandtrust.ca.

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About personal information

Personal information collected here is for the purpose of documenting reptile sightings only. Long Point Basin Land Trust does not sell or trade names and personal information. Read our privacy policy.

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If you would prefer to receive a hard copy of our newsletter, or would like to submit additional information or photos, please email us at nature@longpointlandtrust.ca