Frequently Asked Questions

As of 2026 we are in the following parks:

• Biidaasige Park

• Colonel Sam Smith Park (with support from Friends of Sam Smith)

• Don Valley Brick Works Park (with support from Evergreen Brick Works)

• Étienne Brûlé Park

• High Park

• Home Smith Park

• Humber Bay Park

• King's Mill Park

• Rennie Park

• Smythe Park (with support from Smythe Park Turtle Watch)

• Woodbine Park

In Ontario, Turtle nesting season can begin as early as May and can last until mid-July, depending on the year and location.

In High Park, once the wild blue lupines are blooming in the Black Oak Savannah we know it's time to look for nesting turtles.  According to Turtle Biologist, Marc Dupuis Desormeaux, the peak time is from June 7 to June 20 and the super peak between June 10 and June 15.

They usually lay their eggs in the morning or the evening.  Turtles love nesting during or after a rain because rain makes for easier digging!

Turtle Mamas select nesting sites based on numerous factors, including: soil characteristics and sun exposure. Beaches, shorelines and the shoulders of roads are often selected as nesting sites for these reasons.

Turtles have a strong nesting site fidelity. Turtles return to the same nesting site every year and often their place of birth to choose their nesting site. Because of this, the site has ancestral connections. So, it is possible that Turtle Mama and at least one of her offspring that reached sexual maturity may be nesting at the same nesting ground!

Because Turtle Mamas do an excellent job at concealing the site, the best way to find a nest is by witnessing the actual egg-laying process. When we receive a report, we rush to the site. We stay with Mama until she finishes laying her eggs. We escort her back to the water safely. Then we install a nest protector over the nest to prevent predation. So if you see a mama nesting, call us!

During nesting season, Turtles trying to access road shoulders to lay their eggs or returning back to the water after laying her eggs expose them to vehicle traffic! If you see Turtle crossing a road, help by stopping traffic or carrying her to the direction where she is headed.

Call Turtle Protectors to report the sighting and location.

If possible, stay with the turtle until a volunteer arrives.  While you are waiting you can educate park goers about what is happening and why it is important to watch from a respectful distance (between 20 and 30 feet).

If a turtle is on a road, call our hotline immediately and consider helping her/him across in the direction that it is heading only if it is safe to do so.

A nest protector is a square or octagon wood frame with a wire mesh on top and small notches on each side. Their purpose is to protect turtle nests.

If you are wondering why do we place nest protector, keep reading… approximately 90% of eggs are eaten! The smell of the eggs attract many predators. They are a food source. However, here in the city because of an overabundance of predators and off leash dogs digging into nests 100% of the eggs are destroyed! 

A Mama Snapping Turtle becomes sexually mature in her mid to late teens. She lays approximately 40 to 60 eggs every year. She can live to over 100 years and may lay up to 1400 eggs in her lifetime! But only one of them will reach to adult maturity.

If you have seen turtles nesting in backyard or front yard, know that she will come back every year within a foot of the same spot to lay her eggs. It is called site fidelity. Homeowners can help by calling our Hotline. We will arrive on scene to either place a nest protector or excavate the nest so the eggs can be incubated if there is a risk to the nest . We also have information on our website on instructions for building your own nest protectors or where to buy them.

It is very important to use an adequate nest protector so that no harm comes to the eggs and hatchlings. Improper devices can put them under even more risk.

Most of the Turtle species of Ontario are temperature dependent for sex determination. Hot temperatures may result in hatchlings being female compared to cooler temperatures resulting in male hatchlings. Altering the temperature of incubation affects the sex of the turtles, it is very important not to interfere with the temperature of the nest.

The Ontario Turtle Conservation Center sells nest protectors. They are available only for pick up. Find all details in this page. If you are interested in building your own, the same page contains detailed instructions on how to build and installing it.

The Turtle store of Turtles Kingston also sells nest protectors only for pickup from the designated address in the Strathcona Park neighbourhood, Kingston, Ontario. They made the nest protectors available as well through Marshall’s Lawncare & Garden Centre at 3868 Princess St in Kingston.

Buy nest protectors / How to build one (OTCC)

Buy nest protectors from Turtles Kingston

Turtles are “cold blooded” (ectothermic), so they need the heat of the sun to get their bodies warm. Normally, they are often seen sunning themselves in warm and open spots.

If you notice any of these signs, they might need help:

• Obvious wounds or blood on the body, or a crack in their shell

• One or more of their legs, or head look like they’re pointing in the wrong direction

• There is string, fishing line, or fish hooks/lures on some part of their body

• Found when the daytime temperature is below 10°C, or has accidentally been dug up or uncovered during the winter

• It has been in the same spot for more than 24 hours and does not move away when approached (except in June/July when they are nesting)

• Only a veterinarian can determine if a turtle is dead. Turtles can appear dead

Determine first whether Turtle needs help. Read previous answer.

The next step is to call our hotline if you are in the city of Toronto. We have a relationship with Toronto Wildlife Centre. Therefore we will arrange a volunteer to pick up turtle if they are locatedi n one of the parks we operate in. If not, we will contact TWC directly. . You may also contact a wildlife rehabilitator at Toronto Wildlife Center directly. This page has information on how to get assistance inside and outside the GTA. It also gives information for temporary assistance while you wait. They are available from 9 am to 6 pm every day of the week including holidays! In their website, you can also find information about how to help other animals.

If you are outside of the GTA we ask that you contact Ontario Turtle Conservation Hotline number at 705-741-5000

By Carolynne Crawley

“Indigenous peoples have been and continue to be in a deep and reciprocal relationship with these lands, waters, and beings since time immemorial. 

We see all of creation as part of our family to be treated with love and respect.  We are not separate from ‘Nature’ but are a part of her as we are all interconnected.  Therefore we have an individual and collective responsibility to be in a healthy relationship with Mother Earth.  

Indigenous peoples have been tracking the changes upon the land and waters to guide our movements when harvesting, hunting, or fishing since time immemorial, always ensuring to take only what is needed from the land and to consider other beings. 

We make our decisions thinking seven generations ahead, thinking not just about humans, but including all beings.  It has always been known that if people fell out of this relationship then a great imbalance will occur.  We can see that is evident today.”