"It's a great learning experience to work with the public but it comes easy when we have these very cool animals to share!", says Jessica Middleton. She is one of the four person team who visited Grey-Bruce on July 20 and 21. They came from Scales Nature Park at Orillia, and delivered free conservation education programs in Tobermory, Cabot Head, Miller Lake, and Owen Sound. The programs focused on local snakes and turtles, and had a wonderful hands-on component. Audiences members, young and old, were very engaged with the animals, and full of questions for the staff.

The main reptiles at risk in Bruce and Grey Counties are Massasauga Rattle Snake, the Ribbon Snake, the Spotted Turtle, and the Snapping Turtle. In our area the Massasauga Rattler is a threatened species but elsewhere in Ontario, it is on the endangered list. The Spotted Turtle is endangered. The Ribbon Snake and the Snapping Turtle are both on the species of special concern list. Habitat loss is a huge threat to all of these unique and fascinating creatures.

The Reptiles at Risk Show encourages people to learn about and appreciate our snakes and turtles so we can help protect them. Road kill is the primary threat to adult turtles. You can help by carefully moving them off the driving surface in their direction of travel. They come to lay eggs in roadside gravel. Remember Snappers have a very long reach! Please do not kill, harass, or try to make pets of wild creatures. These animals play important roles in the ecosystems that support us all.

You can get involved by downloading the free Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas app. This field guide allows you to identify and report your sightings. Become a Citizen Scientist today with ontarionature.org/atlas. To learn more about our turtles and snakes, visit www.reptilesatrisk.org.

source: media release, Sandra Howe, Cabot Head Lighthouse