Southern Ontario: A Fast Disappearing Haven For Turtles
Turtles, one of the most beloved reptiles, have worked their way into the hearts of many. They move in a slow, endearing way, and symbolize a variety of things across various cultures: wisdom and knowledge, the land and water, longevity, stability, resilience, endurance, and more. Eating fruit, basking in the sun, hiking through the living room, chasing the dog, and hanging out on the laps of her people are some of the hobbies held by my pet red-footed tortoise named George (below). Unknown to George are her wild relatives, who are facing threats of extinction. These reptiles, around for over 200 million years, may seem ageless. Despite this, over half of the world's living turtle species are now species at risk. The good news: if you live in Southern Ontario, turtles are just a step out the door, waiting for you to notice and protect them. Southern Ontario, home to an abundance of wetland habitat and a warm climate relative to the rest of Canada, hosts the h...