Featured Turtles
Featured Turtles at The OTCC Education Centre
Ontario is home to eight turtle species, all facing some level of risk, from threatened to endangered. During our visit to the centre, we had the opportunity to meet five of them—the Snapping, Wood, Northern Map, Painted, and Blanding’s turtles. Each has its own unique story, distinctive traits, and fascinating personalities, offering us a deeper understanding of their challenges and the efforts being made to protect them.
Rusty the Wood Turtle
Provincial Status: Endangered
Rusty was part of study to learn more about wood turtles in 1993 and was captured as a juvenile (between 3-4 years of age) and tracked in the wild until 2017 when he was attacked by an animal, losing his two front legs. He remains as a permanent patient at The OTCC where he is cared for. Due to his condition, he cannot eat , swim, and walk properly.
Picasso the Painted Turtle
Provincial Status: Special Concern
Picasso is one of four turtles at The OTCC whose original home is unknown. He was brought here after a spending the beginning of his life as a pet turtle. Unfortunately, without a reference where he was taken from in the wild, he cannot be released in any habitat as he may carry certain diseases and does not have the same genetic makeup - making it irresponsible for his release into the wild.
Since turtles know their surroundings well, they don’t venture far from where were born. At maximum, turtles are released within 1km from where they were found.
Mappy the Northern Map Turtle
Provincial Status: Special Concern
Mappy is also one of the four turtles that cannot be released back into the wild due to their original location being unknown. Adult turtles, such as Mappy, have a difficult time adapting to new environments they are not familiar with.
Northern map turtles dwell in extensive rivers and lakes where the water flows slowly and the bottom is soft. They depend on high-quality water that sustains the mollusks eaten by females. These turtles may gather in areas with plenty of places for basking.[1]
Shellbie the Midland Painted Turtle
Provincial Status: At Risk
Shellbie was fortunate to have been brought to The OTCC when she was struck by a car in 2012 while moving to another area of her habitat. She was rescue by a different organization and brought to The OTCC for rehabilitation. Unfortunately, her original location was not recorded, and now she lives in an enclosure with her two friends, Andrea and Mappy!
Andrea the Blanding Turtle
Provincial Status: Threatened
Andrea was hit by a car over 10 years ago! With the left part of her shell damaged from the accident, she also lost her left eye and has limited vision in her right eye. Due to these reasons, she cannot survive if released back into the wild.
Blanding turtles have unique feature, they have a hinged plastron (the underpart of their shells) that allow them to close up like a box and tuck their heads inside their shells.[2]
Blandella the
Blanding Turtle
Provincial Status: Threatened
Blandella was hit by a car over 10 years ago. This accident damaged her oviduct, causing her to retain her eggs for several years but eventually they are reabsorbed. Due to this condition, she can’t reproduce without this risk and cannot go back into the wild. She also has trouble staying deeply submerged, which can cause issues for their survival and her ability to hibernate in the winter.[3]
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[1] Ontario Nature. “Northern Map Turtle | Ontario Nature | Advocate for Nature.” Ontario Nature, 15 Jan. 2024, ontarionature.org/programs/community-science/reptile-amphibian-atlas/northern-map-turtle.
[2] Ontario Nature. “Blanding’s Turtle | Species Information | Ontario Nature.” Ontario Nature, 15 Jan. 2024, ontarionature.org/programs/community-science/reptile-amphibian-atlas/blandings-turtle.
[3] Admin. “Winter Slumber.” Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre, 29 Aug. 2023, ontarioturtle.ca/2009/01/winter-slumber.