The Chateauguay River and its surrounding waterways are home to many Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina) in addition to the rarer Northern Map Turtle.
The Map Turtle is a qualified vulnerable species under the Act of endangered and vulnerable species in Quebec.
Northern Map Turtles inhabit an area from south Quebec and Ontario to northern Vermont where it lives in the St. Lawrence River drainage basin. The Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) has a natural range that extends from southeastern Canada, southwest toward the Rockies, and as far east as Nova Scotia and Florida.
These species of turtles inhabit our local Chateauguay River, area ponds, watersheds, tributaries and lake, which are ideal for them as they prefer large bodies of water and areas with fallen trees and other debris for basking purposes. (as depicted in our photos)
They usually remain dormant from November through early April depending on local climate related factors and natural elements.
The winter is spent hibernating communally under water - without needing to surface for air, since they survive by absorbing oxygen from the water. They tend to congregate closely underneath rocks or logs remaining under the ice during the hibernation period.
Chateauguay area turtle species reportedly mate from April through November, with their peak nesting and egg laying season from May to July.
The female usually chooses well-drained areas for depositing the eggs. The sexes of the young are determined by the temperature. At 25 degrees Celsius incubation produces a majority of males whereas 30–35 °C (86–95 °F) yields more females.
They have fewer predators as they get older, but the eggs are subject to predation by crows, mink, skunks, foxes, and raccoons. As hatchlings and juveniles their predators include heron, crows, hawks, bullfrogs, large fish, and snakes.
Turtle lifespan in the wild is difficult to estimate, but long-term research via recapture related data has suggested that some may live over 100 years.
The long term effects of human interference, in and along the Chateauguay River could alter their habitat forever due to the pollution and the ever present risk for destruction of their environment.
Remember-even the removal of fallen logs, driftwood and rocks (and other) can force these turtles to leave for other ecologically sound areas and watersheds. Therefore you must refrain from removing them from the shorelines and waterways surrounding Chateauguay!
Never touch, disturb a turtle or eggs and refrain from the removal of debris, branches and logs from the shores and waterways.
Be mindful when boating to avoid collision or cause propeller related injuries and death. Go slow and stay away from the shoreline whenever possible!
Cohabitation with our Chateauguay wildlife is simply – ESSENTIAL!
In Nature We Trust.
Chateauguay Citizen.com
Photo Credits:
Basking Turtles of the Chateauguay River-G Hayden Wood/ChateauguayCitizen.com (all rights reserved)
Heron photo attribution:
"GreatBlueHeroneatingturtle08" by John Harrison. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Article source: Ministère des ressources et de la faune du Québec, and wikipedia