Into the Woods With Curio: June is Turtle Month

“But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”

Isaiah 43:1

June is the month for turtles in Muskoka. This is the time when you’ll often see turtles trying to cross the road as they move to, and from, the place where they lay their eggs, which is usually a sandy location. It’s a dangerous journey for small, slow-moving turtles as they try to avoid large, fast-moving vehicles. Many die in the attempt each year. It is one of the main reasons why 7 of the 8 species of turtle found in Ontario are now endangered.

Because of this and other human-caused problems, such as the destruction of wetland habitat, environmental pollution and the trapping of some species for the pet trade, turtles can’t afford high rates of mortality. Each individual is important.

Then there are naturally occurring pressures. If the females make it across the road and are successful in laying their eggs, raccoons and other egg-loving predators often dig up the nests and eat the eggs. If the eggs aren’t found by such predators and do hatch, and the young turtles make it to the water they still have to avoid being eaten by herons, large fish and others predators.

If turtles can survive these hazards and make it to adulthood they can sometimes live a very long time. Researchers have discovered that some species, such as the Blanding’s turtle, can live over 80 years. The same could be true of snapping turtles. Throughout their adult life they reproduce, with females often laying dozens of eggs each summer. But at least two of those eggs have to hatch and those young turtles have to make it to adulthood for the species to survive.

So these turtles need lots of help from us. Slow down where you see turtle crossing signs along roadsides where you live. If you see a turtle on the road help it this way. Some organizations place wire cages over the nests to protect the eggs from being eaten them, though this requires a lot of volunteer help. Eco-passages under roads also protect turtles from having to cross busy roads, but these are expensive to build. All of these efforts are worth it to help these turtles survive and keep them from becoming extinct.

God values each one of us as individuals, and has done the ultimate by giving the Lord Jesus to die for our sins and make it possible for us to be saved from all the trouble in this world, and for eternity.