Take A Stand

Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) representatives report that skunks have been known to drag turtles out of their hiding spots or homes by the tail and eat them. Who has not had a pet turtle as a child or watched them in the pet store with fascination? Even though it is commonly thought that they are abundant, turtles are on the verge of extinction. Because of the turtle’s pharangeal gill slits and cloaca, a chemical used to survey and kill unwanted fish called Rotenone is easily absorbed into their bodies. Researchers have secured radio tags on some shells of turtles in our area, which enables them to follow movements throughout the river.

To help the Soft Shell turtle, some places have made laws that limit catching and catch seasons as well as size limitations. They live in areas of sand and mud and in our area are most commonly found along the Thames River.

The Eastern Spiny Soft shell turtle is at risk mostly because of the soft shell it has which makes it vulnerable to birds and small mammals that prey upon it.

Turtles play an important role in our ecosystem by keeping the insect population in check as well as providing food for small mammals. More public education efforts like this are needed to pass on to children an appreciation for these amazing reptiles. Efforts are underway in London to raise public awareness of the danger facing the Eastern Spiny Soft Shell Turtle. Soft Shell turtles are found in Southern Ontario and in South Western Quebec, in Lake Erie, and in the Ottawa, St. Although the Spiny Soft Shell turtle is not listed as endangered, activists are trying to make them a part of the endangered species list. They are officially listed here in London as “threatened”. They are also marketed for human consumption in vast numbers because it is thought by many people that these turtles are a threat to game species of fish, even though this is not true.