Remember to report your turtle sightings to the Ontario Turtle Tally or the Ontario Reptile & Amphibian Atlas. Photos are a great way to confirm the identification of the species for these citizen science projects. The snapper pictured here was spotted nesting by volunteer Kim Clark near Ottawa – the distinctive spikes of this dinosaur-like tail are easy to spot!
The Reptile & Amphibian Atlas also welcomes sightings of any other amphibians and reptiles you may come across. People are encouraged to send in sightings of dead animals as well as live ones, as these still demonstrate the presence of the species in the area, and may also be useful for keeping track of road mortality hotspots.
Visit the atlas’ website for more information on the species found in Ontario (including identification features & range maps), tips for searching for species, and online reporting forms, and lots more!