Snakes are Pets

28/12/2023

Even the smallest turtles deserve the biggest helping hand.

This hatchling Narrow-bridged Musk Turtle is a tiny yet crucial part of a larger ecosystem in Mexico. Mexico is a turtle rich-country, with the second-highest diversity of turtles in the world (65 species and subspecies), just behind the United States (89 species and subspecies).

To learn more about the turtles in need in Mexico, head to our Impact Report, and our latest blog on our , introducing the Pacific Coast Musk Turtle, at turtlesurvival.org



Pictured: Narrow-bridged Musk Turtle (Claudius angustatus)
IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened

📸: Eduardo Reyes Grajales

16/08/2022

Just breathe! Another great photo from my friend Ben Hicks Fine Art!

12/08/2022

This may be the very best effort to save declining turtle populations that I have EVER seen.

Absolutely extraordinary, Turtle Guardians 🐢

21/07/2022

21/07/2022

21/05/2022

DID YOU SEE A DELIBERATE HIT?

Intentionally harming turtles is an offence with fines of up to $25,000.00 or 1 year in jail.

Get the license plate and provide details to the OMNRF conservation officers by calling the TIPS line at 1-877-TIPS MNR (1-877-847-7667).

Deliberately harming turtles means that someone went out of their way to hit the turtle or alternately did not avoid the turtle when they had the means to safely do so.

Video, photos and other witnesses are always helpful but not necessary when reporting infractions.

Poaching turtles carries fines of up to $100,000.00. If you see suspicious activity call the authorities above.

Photo: Jory Mullen

19/05/2022

Relief 😌❤️

NEWS UPDATE- GRACE REPORTED ALIVE.

Mrs. Gail Bounsall sent in a photo of Grace through Messenger today.

Gail is a relative by marriage, and also wanted us to know that she is a friend of the landowners at Grace’s hibernation wetland.

Gail did not indicate that she took the photo, and although she did not provide a precise location for the photo/sighting, she did indicate it was taken in the vicinity of the wetland basins that both the landowners and our volunteers have been watching.

This is the same time that Grace emerged from her hibernation wetland last year. The sighting has not been confirmed by Turtle Guardian staff as unfortunately, we did not get the opportunity to asses Grace and her location.

We extended the reward to Gail, but she didn’t want to keep the reward for herself and instead asked us to donate the $125 to the food bank in her name.

This wetland complex where Grace hibernates, is home to other endangered species protected by legislation (and of course, other turtles), and also recognized for 30 years as a sensitive habitat, but Grace's reported reappearance is a fortunate occurrence for all of us in Haliburton and beyond.
Let’s not let this happen again in Haliburton. Tell Dysart et al to enact the right tools to protect and properly manage all recognized Environmental Protection zones today!
Sign our petition https://www.turtleguardians.com

We will keep looking for Grace in the coming weeks in order to install the geotracking system approved by OMNRF and in partnership with Trent University. The reward is available all summer. Win $125 Foodland gift card for spotting, helping, and photographing/video recording Grace, our one-eyed local gem! And of course then notifying us. So if you do see her call or text us at 705-854-2888

09/05/2022

PLEASE stop and allow turtles to cross! They are usually females going to nest, which takes up to 60 years to replace a single female painted turtle in our ecosystem.

I will be having "I STOP FOR TURTLES" bumper stickers made and will be giving them out for free via this page.

First dead on road turtle in Haliburton. Female adult painted turtle. Existing populations are predominantly male because females are on roads more often due to nesting. While it’s not nesting season yet, this is a big loss for local populations. It’ll take about 60 years to replace just this one - if there’s a chance at all with dwindling populations. Painted turtles joined the list of turtles that are heading toward extinction in 2019. Watch for turtles on roads and alert other drivers, then, if safe help them on in the direction they are heading.

24/04/2022

WIN SOME AND LEARN SOME...

THIS FRIDAY with Turtle Guardians in Haliburton!
6pm on April 22nd.

Join us and our Teaching Turtles for a night of GAMES, PRIZES, FOOD AND FUN.

Join a team for $10 or bring your own group ($25 for a team of 4).

Let us know you are coming by registering here: https://www.turtleguardians.com/event/turtle-trivia-night/