Northern Watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon sipedon) are semiaquatic, nonvenomous reptiles in the Colubridae family. It is widespread throughout the Great Lakes Region, found in a wide variety of freshwater ecosystems. It is one of two subspecies of watersnakes native to Ontario, the other subspecies, the Lake Erie Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon insularum)
Snapping Turtle
Ontario has 9 native species of turtles: the Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina), Eastern Spiny Softshell Turtle (Apalone spinifera), Northern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica), Yellow-throated or Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii), Wood Turtle (Glyptemys insculpta), Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta), Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata), Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina), and Eastern Musk
Eastern Spiny Softshell
Ontario has 9 native species of turtles: the Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina), Eastern Spiny Softshell Turtle (Apalone spinifera), Northern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica), Yellow-throated or Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii), Wood Turtle (Glyptemys insculpta), Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta), Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata), Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina), and Eastern Musk
Painted Turtle
Ontario has 9 native species of turtles: the Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina), Eastern Spiny Softshell Turtle (Apalone spinifera), Northern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica), Yellow-throated or Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii), Wood Turtle (Glyptemys insculpta), Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta), Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata), Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina), and Eastern Musk
Eastern Foxsnake
The Eastern Foxsnake (Pantherophis vulpinus) is a non-venomous constrictor in Colubridae family, alongside the Black Rat Snake (Pantherophis spiloides). Of the two species, Foxsnakes are more widely distributed in Ontario – they are found throughout the Lake Erie Region (Rondeau, Pelee, and the Long Point Basin) and the east coast
Spotted Turtle
Ontario has 9 native species of turtles: the Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina), Eastern Spiny Softshell Turtle (Apalone spinifera), Northern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica), Yellow-throated or Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii), Wood Turtle (Glyptemys insculpta), Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta), Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata), Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina), and Eastern Musk
Long Point’s Insects
Insects are the most biodiverse group of animals on Earth, with over 200,000 species described. The Long Point Basin on the north shore of Lake Erie has over 4,500 species of insects! Insects are highly variable in form – some of the more well-known groups are beetles, butterflies, moths, ants,
Mottled Duskywing
Introduction
The Mottled Duskywing (Erynnis martialis) is one of over 850 species of lepidatarians (butterflies and moths) occurring in Norfolk County and one of 5 species of duskywings (Erynnis sp.) in the Skipper Family (Hesperiidae). It is a small butterfly with a wingspan of 2.5-3.5 cm, completely brown on both
Long Point Basin’s Forests – A Conservation Priority Place in Canada
Introduction
Norfolk County supports between 25% and 30% forest cover, among the highest percentage in southwestern Ontario, just behind Bruce County (~40%) and Grey County (~50%). This large concentration of habitat supports a vast diversity of wildlife species – including many threatened species and those with southern affinities – sometimes
What is the Carolinian Zone?
Introduction
If you have visited the Lake Erie region of southwestern Ontario, and are interested in ecology or conservation, chances are that you read or heard the term “Carolinian Life Zone”, or “Carolinian Forest” at least once. This interesting term used by botanists to describe the southernmost region of