Snapping Turtles Dodged A Meteor

Snapping Turtles Dodged A Meteor

By Kelly Wallace

To date the Snapping Turtle family, Chelydridae, remains almost unchanged to their ancestors that appeared more than 215 million years ago, approximately 100 million years before the rise of the dinosaurs.

Scientists believe that a large meteor, between six and nine miles across and traveling at about 50,000 miles per hour, struck the Yucatan Peninsula in southern Mexico, unleashing more than 100 million megatons of destructive energy that killed off the dinosaurs. The animals that weren’t killed in the initial impact faced a debris cloud that would have destroyed vegetation and turned the planet into a wasteland. While larger animals fought over dwindling food supplies, the Snapping Turtles, substantially protected in their aquatic environment, slowed down their metabolism and made due with limited food. It is by utilizing this set of survival skills Snapping Turtles proved themselves to be the ultimate survivor. This turtle species has not evolved in millions of years because it hasn’t needed to.

All these years later and the Snapping Turtles presently tucked beneath a blanket of anoxic (oxygen deficient) mud in ice covered ponds, marshes, wetlands and lakes still survive by slowing their metabolism to the point that their heart beats once every 5 to 10 minutes during brumation (hibernation) and they absorb low levels of dissolved oxygen through membranes in their throat, mouth and/or cloaca (butt). For the sake of a laugh this process called, cloacal respiration is often referred to as ‘butt breathing.’

Snapping Turtles are at the pinnacle of the food chain with no real predators once they reach maturity and yet their species present day is provincially and federally designated at risk and facing unprecedented population declines due to road mortality, habitat loss, pollution and poaching.

In Ontario, Snapping Turtle numbers also suffered from their time on the game list. This practice with substantiating data was reversed March 31, 2017 when the hunting of Snapping Turtles was officially terminated by the Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry. To this date it remains ‘illegal’ to trap or hunt Snapping Turtles in Ontario. There is a fine of $25,000 and penalties in accordance with the Ontario Fish & Wildlife Conservation Act. Report a violation of this type or submit a tip by calling the MNRF TIPS line at 1-877-847-7667 or to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Crazy to think that an animal species that survived the destructive forces that wiped out the dinosaurs should be facing their greatest challenges in this day and age but that is the case. This amplifies concerns for the future of ‘Ontario’s Unofficial Official Animal’ and why ongoing species recovery initiatives and habitat conservation are crucial.

Making Up For Losses

Unlike most other animals turtles are slow to repopulate thus make up for losses. Snapping Turtles can take upwards of 17 to 20 years to reach sexual maturity. This is compounded by the fact that the survival rate for turtle eggs and hatchlings is less then 1%. As a result of the aforementioned it can take as many as 60 years in the wild to replace one deceased adult Snapping turtle.

Snappy Behavior

Although Snapping Turtles are the largest of the Ontario turtle species a point to remember is that they are proportionally much smaller than humans. When we approach a Snapping Turtle we know we are there to help the turtle but the turtle does not know this and perceives us as a predator. With a Snapping Turtle being low to the ground we appear quite menacing. Turtles are not known for their speed and while other animals would likely run away or may attack a turtle’s first instinct is to pull its limbs into its shell making them less impervious to harm. Snapping Turtles are not able to do this because of their small plastron (under shell) and are therefore left to face the predator that stands before them. A Snapping Turtle’s defensive behavior is understandable if one takes the time to understand all the particulars involved and the stress the turtle would be under with such an encounter.

In my own experiences being creatures of habit one Snapping Turtle to the next their reaction to me holding them near the back of their shell where they cannot stretch their neck and reach my hands placed on each side to support their weight is almost always identical. I do this by approaching the Snapping Turtle from behind, quickly picking them up (don’t linger) and carrying them across the road in the direction they were headed. The turtle will no doubt be snapping at the air all the while, squirming/bucking and the back legs moving like it is walking in an attempt to get away from me. When across the road and far enough away from the road edge the Snapping Turtle once set down will assuredly spin around to face me, then bounce and snap at the air once while looking at me. After that the turtle will sit for a few minutes looking at me intently. When the Snapping Turtle feels him/her has told me off good and proper (all in the eyes) the turtle will turn around and head off away from me in the intended direction. Note: I use either rose trimming gloves (extra long cuff) or an old towel draped over the back of the turtles shell to help get a good grip and prevent my arms from being scratched by the long nails on the turtles back legs.

If you are not comfortable picking-up a Snapping Turtle they can be assisted across the road without touching them. Many people keep a light weight snow shovel in their vehicle for this purpose. Happy to discuss this subject with anyone that has questions.

Always keep hands, fingers, arms away from a Snapping Turtles mouth or within the reach of their long neck to avoid a Snapping Turtle clamping on and causing a flesh wound as a result of their sharp beak.

Snapping Turtles have the ability to live extremely long lives if they are able to avoid the challenges they face on and off the roads. Taking the time to understand their behavior and ask questions goes a long way in helping this majestic species maintain its earthly presence. Please don’t be afraid of Snapping Turtles!

To contact the author e-mail thinkturtle@yahoo.com or visit the Think Turtle Conservation Initiative website at http://www.thinkturtle.ca

Photo Credit: José Antonio Peñas
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