Milksnake (Lampropeltis Triangulum)

Description:

Most often seen at night while hunting, the milksnake is grey or tan with alternating red or reddish-brown blotches (outlined in black) along its back and sides, its belly looks like black and white checkerboard.  The milksnake can grow to be one metre in length or more. In early spring, the female lays approximately 3-24 eggs and the babies will hatch about 7-20 weeks later, with a life span of approximately 7 years, but have been known to live up to 20.

Status:

• Special Concern Provincially and Nationally

Important Dates:

• May 2002: Designated as Species of Special Concern;
• May 2014: Last time assessed by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC);

Range:

• The below image provided by Ontario Nature Organization shows the milksnakes distribution in Southern Ontario:
• Southern Ontario and a small section of the Ottawa River in Quebec appear to have the most recorded sightings of this species in Canada;

Habitat:

• Lives in a wide range of habitats, such as rocky outcrops, forests, prairies, pastures and farm buildings where rodents are common;
• In late October/early November will hibernate underground in rotting logs or in the foundations of old buildings.

Threats:

• Due to its mistaken identity (rattler) when threatened, the milksnake is often persecuted by pedestrians;
• Habitat loss remains a threat to this species as well;
• The slow-moving milksnake can be found crossing busy roads and will ultimately be ran over by vehicles if not moving fast enough.

Protection:

• Listed as a Special Concern under the Endangered Species Act, 2007 ;
• Listed as a Special Concern under the federal Species At Risk Act (SARA) ;
• Designated as a Specially Protected Reptile under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 ;
• If existing in a National Park, is protected by the Canada National Parks Act;
• The Toronto Zoo and Georgian Bay Reptile Awareness Program are helping to educate the public on snakes and their protection.

What YOU Can Do To Help:

• If you encounter the milksnake on an outing, report your sighting to the Natural Heritage Information Centre with your coordinates for further investigation;
• The Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas collects observations of the milksnake as well;
• Volunteer at your local Nature Club to learn more about the species of special concern in your area;
• Throughout May to October, keep your eye out for the slow moving milksnake crossing our roads;
• Never purchase snakes that have been captured in the wild – contact the Ministry of Natural Resources to report any known illegal activities (1.877.TIPS.MNR (847.7667));

FUN FACTS:

• Sometimes mistaken as a rattlesnake when threatened, the milksnake raises its head high in the air and vibrates its tail and may attempt to bite;
• The milksnake received its name from the false belief that it took milk from cows in barns;
• This snake is the only snake in Ontario that has red blotches;
• The milksnake is actually a type of constrictor – it wraps itself around its prey to kill and them feed (similar to the tropical Boa Constrictor);
  
  

Download your order form: IDNC Poinsettias Order Form.

Tonight is your chance to learn more about the beautiful creature that is the Monarch Butterfly! Bring your family out the Ingersoll Library for an informative and interesting presentation and learn how you can “Save the Monarchs!” 

There are new chrysalides and caterpillars to be seen at the Ingersoll Library. Stop by and pay them a visit.

Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina)

Description:

The Snapping Turtle is a prehistoric looking, stegosaurus like (when moving) freshwater turtle. Its long tail, often longer than its body, has triangular spikes along the top. The upper shell is tan or black in colour and is often covered in algae. Reaching an average length of 20-36cm (max of 47 cm) and weight of 10-35lbs, the Snapping Turtle is Canada’s largest freshwater turtle.  In Ontario, females do not begin to breed until they reach 17 to 19 years of age. Their nests are dug in late May or June, with hatchlings making their appearance in late fall. Snappers are omnivorous (feeding on both plant and animal origin) and feed on various aquatic plants and invertebrates, as well as fish, frogs, snakes, smaller turtles and aquatic birds.

*Note:

In Ontario, all native turtle species protected from hunting except the Snapping Turtle. The hunting season for the snapper is from July 15 to September 15 in central and southern Ontario, and year round in Northern Ontario. In 2009, Ontario Nature Organization began writing the Ministry of Natural Resources requesting that they remove the snapping turtle from the game list. However, with no response they subsequently wrote again in 2010, requesting a policy review of the hunting regulation. In February 2011, the Ministry rejected same and instead expressed their intention to prepare a Management Plan by September 2014 – this has yet to be published.

Status:

• Special Concern Provincially and Nationally

Important Dates:

• September 10, 2009: Species designated At Risk;

Range:

• In Canada, the Snapping Turtle can be found from Saskatchewan to Nova Scotia;
• In Ontario, it is primarily found in Southern Ontario – see Ontario Nature’s map below for its range:

Habitat:

• Occasionally emerging from the water to bask, the Snapping Turtle spends most of its life in the water and prefers it to be shallow so that it’s convenient for them to hide under the soft mud and siltation;
• The females often place their nest sites at the side of the road, an embankment or the shoreline

Threats:

• During the summer months, the Snapping Turtle crosses roads in search of mates, food and nesting sites. This to and from action puts them at risk of getting run over by oncoming traffic;
• Eggs and nests around urban and agricultural areas are subject to predators such as Raccoons Skunks;
• Due to the length of time it takes for the snapping turtle to reach maturity, the survival and maintenance of the adult species is primal;
• Illegal poaching and harvesting continues to threaten the snapper

Protection: 

• Listed as a Special Concern under the Endangered Species Act, 2007 ;
• Listed as a Special Concern under the federal Species At Risk Act (SARA) ;
• Designated as a Specially Protected Reptile under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 ;

What YOU Can Do To Help:

• Visit the Ontario Nature Organization to learn more about their Reptile and Amphibian Stewardship program;
• Between May to October, watch for turtles crossing the roads;
• Volunteer at your local Nature Club to learn more about protecting our local species and their habitats;
• If you encounter a Snapping Turtle, or it’s nest in the wild, contact the Natural Heritage Information Centre and report your sighting here;
• Protect the wetlands surrounding your property to maintain a healthy environment for this and other rare plant and animal species;
• Visit the Toronto Zoo’s Ontario Turtle Tally Website (here) to learn how you can participate in this exciting project

FUN FACTS:

• The snapping turtle spends so much time underwater that algae grows on its shell; this helps them blend in with their surroundings;
• Snapping Turtles are believed to live well over 100 years;
• The temperature that the eggs are incubated at, will determine the sex of the hatchlings. Eggs kept at 23-28° will produce male turtles, whereas eggs incubated at any other temp. will become females;
• Snapping turtles nests contain up to 50 small round eggs, whereas other Ontario turtles will lay only 3-15 small oval eggs;
• The snapper’s plastron (lower shell) is much smaller than the upper carapace (upper shell). Therefore, when feeling threatened, this turtle can’t withdraw into its shell for protection. While on land, its only manner of defence is to snap repeatedly and scare the predator away. Although in water, the snapping turtle rarely snaps and will likely swim away when threatened.

Enclosed are a list of links for you to start your journey to discovering the beauty of nature in Oxford along the trails in our area:

http://www.tourismoxford.ca/What-to-do/Trails

http://www.informationoxford.ca/index.php/events/category/9579

http://www.oxfordcounty.ca/Things-to-Do/Trails-parks/Oxford-County-Trails

http://www.oxfordcountytrailscouncil.ca/trails-in-oxford.html

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Oxford-County-Trails-Council/308508501941

http://www.tourismoxford.ca/Birding-Trails

http://www.informationoxford.ca/index.php/events/category/9579

http://www.whatthehealth.ca/Portals/WhatTheHealth/Documents/TrailGuide2008.pdf

http://whattravelwriterssay.com/oxfordcounty1feb09.html