leopard frog here than in any other here fact, at part of Canada. In species least 33 different home! call this region Did you know… Bay contains the Georgian freshwater world's largest island, Manitoulin Island, the south. Wetlands, rocky out- rocky Wetlands, the south. Lakes-St. Lawrence Lowlands in Lowlands Lawrence Lakes-St. crops, and woodlands can all be crops, found here. Due to its large size Due found here. Bay and the fact that it is nearly separat- awesome Georgian ed from Lake Huron by the Bruce by Lake Huron ed from Peninsula and Manitoulin Island, some Island, and Manitoulin Peninsula Lake Huron is an abundance of plants and animals. There is an abundance of plants and animals. Great Lake. Because of the uniqueness and Lake. Because Great people consider Georgian Bay to be a sixth Bay people consider Georgian variety of habitats found within this relatively variety small region and among its many islands there and among small region Manitoulin Island are more species of reptiles and amphibians species of reptiles more are and the world's deepest harbour, Sound! Parry Written by Kerry Everitt Kerry by Everitt Written Shore Judie by and illustrations Design Georgian Bay is located east of Lake Huron, nestled is located east of Lake Huron, Bay Georgian the north in and the Great the Canadian Shield between of Georgian Bay Reptiles and Amphibians (frogs, toads and salamanders) • have smooth, moist skin less developed teeth • smaller, • no claws • lay jelly-covered eggs in water Amphibians grey tree frog musk turtle FAMILY NATURE NOTES NOTES NATURE FAMILY SUMMER 2005 or a shell species bear live young There are more are There part of Canada. than in any other this region home! this region species of reptiles In fact, at least 33 Reptiles (snakes, turtles and skinks) • are covered with either scales • their skin is dry • sharp teeth or beaks (turtles) • sharp claws (except snakes), • most lay eggs but some different species call different and amphibians here

Supplement to ONNATURE,TURE Summer 2005 Reptiles Many reptiles and reptiles Many What you can What you To escape danger,To the northern ribbon snake will dive into the water and swim do to help reptiles do to help reptiles and amphibians Give 'em space. and amphibians, along with and amphibians, along most other species, are losing their most other species, are Give 'em a brake! amphibians die each year on our roads amphibians die each year in the warmth of and highways. Basking of the danger unaware the sun, they are on the warm pavement. of remaining out for snakes and turtles along Watch and, when safe, trythe road to nudge habitat. them back into their regular natural habitat across Ontario. Shrubs, Ontario. natural habitat across decaying logs piles and long grasses, rock ideal habitat for many of these provided undis- areas some of these species. Leave and Ontario's backyard, turbed in your will thank you. nature also have a also have DTP Inc. Printing: Gregor Beck Beck Gregor it would much rather escape under a it would much rather of The extirpation (permanent loss bush! of or area) a species in a particular region Canada and from the timber rattlesnake range of the eastern Massas- the reduced of people’s sauga rattlesnake is a result needless persecution of these creatures. Toxins in our environment Toxins devastating effect on reptiles and amphib- effect on reptiles devastating ians. Chemicals such as PCBs, dioxins industrial and furans, used in various and affect the ability of reptiles processes, damaging to by amphibians to reproduce their eggs. Reviewer: The loss Victoria Foote Foote Victoria 355 Lesmill Rd, Toronto, ON M3B 2W8 Tel: (416) 444-8419, 1 800 440-2366 Toronto,355 Lesmill Rd, Tel: Fax: ON M3B 2W8 (416) 444-9866 Website:www.ontarionature.org E-mail:[email protected], Editor: Visit us on the Web at www.ontarionature.org at Web the on us Visit Wetlands are often are Wetlands Some people are afraid of them, people are Some .

1. Also called Stinkpot Turtle 2. found in far north frog Frosty 4. Ontario's only lizard 5. Snoring & clucking noise 6. island Largest freshwater 8. Common... Reptile never asks for directions. 3.largest frog Ontario's 7. Cold-blooded 9. Thin snake, dives to avoid danger

10. 2nd largest snake in Ontario 11. Permanent loss of species in area 12. Plays dead if threatened 13. lives Two 11. frog Colour-changing 12. Ontario's only rattlesnake 14. Lays shelled eggs 15. called Red Eft Young 16. Deepest harbour in the World 17. Lake Sixth Great 18. Sleigh bell call DOWN ACROSS Amphibian Antics and Reptile Round-Up Antics and Reptile Amphibian

All answers can be found in the All answers Note.Nature luck! Good Snakes, in turn, terribly misunder- are stood Many forests and wetlands across and wetlands Many forests destroyed. Ontario have been thinking that they are slimy and danger- thinking that they are the Only ous, when in fact, they aren't! rattlesnake is poiso- eastern Massassauga though it could bite you, nous. And even separated from one another by buildings, one another by separated from and reptiles and highways. Many roads from amphibians as they try to move of their habitat to another. one area

At-Risk and Reptiles and Amphibians of their life-cycle. of their life-cycle. on these habitats for at least one parton these habitats for reptiles and amphibians who rely rely and amphibians who reptiles of wetlands is particularly to of wetlands devastating Eastern Fox Snake Eastern Massassauga Rattlesnake This constrictor gets its name from the fox-smelling musk This is Ontario's only rattlesnake and is on that it gives off when threatened. Five-lined the Canadian Endangered Species List. Habitat: The eastern fox snake takes advantage of the diverse landscapes in the Georgian Bay area and can be found near Skink Habitat: Mixed forests and rocky outcrops. marshes, sand dunes and beaches. The five-lined Description: Grey-brown in colour with several rows A unique habitat Description: Yellow-brown in colour with large brown skink is Ontario’s of black blotches, ringed in grey along its back and sides. It is hard to believe that wildlife can sur- or black blotches running along the back that alternate with only lizard. The underside is black. Its thick tail does not narrow like other vive on the seemingly desolate rocky out- a series of lateral smaller blotches. Its belly is yellow with a snakes but has a rattle, giving it its name. It feeds on birds, amphibians, insects and small mammals. The Massassauga rattlesnake crops on Georgian Bay’s islands. This black checkboard pattern and it has a reddish-brown head. injects its prey with venom. Once the venom has immobilized the prey, unique habitat is ideal for many species of As a constrictor, the eastern fox snake crushes its prey, which consists of Habitat: The skink is the snake swallows it whole. amphibians reptiles. Turtles and snakes small rodents, birds and amphibians. found in open woodlands Wow: This is the second largest snake in Ontario, and can grow as long as and rocky outcrops on many Wow: This is the only snake in the region with a vertical pupil and a can often be seen sunning themselves on 140 centimetres (that's about as long as you are tall)! of the islands in Georgian Bay. the warm rocks. Reptiles are cold blooded Description: As its name suggests, this lizard (ectothermic), which means that their has five yellowish-cream coloured stripes run- body temperature is controlled by the Common Map Turtle ning down its back from nose to tail. The back- Bull Frog outside air temperature. A reptile's dark Habitat: Large bodies of water. ground colour may be black, brown or even Habitat: Deep ponds and lakes. scales or shell helps it absorb the sun's Description: Its olive-brown shell and skin has many yellowish-orange olive. Juveniles have bright blue tails but the Description: This gentle giant, at a length of over rays which, in turn, warms its body. The lines on it, like contour lines on a map, giving this turtle its name. females may also retain a bluish tinge. Adult 15 centimetres, is Ontario's largest frog. They are usually a dull greenish-brown but may be nearly rocky landscape of this region holds heat Most map turtles have a small yellow triangle behind each eye. males have a reddish or orange coloured jaw. They have powerful jaws with which they crush crayfish and Adults are up to 20 centimetres long and feed black in colour. They have no distinctive patterns just like a sidewalk in the summer. If a other molluscs that make up a large portion of their diet. mainly on insects and spiders. but their size is usually enough to make a positive reptile doesn't get enough sunlight, it Wow: Because of their strong muscles and wide webbing Wow: A skink’s tail can drop off — which can identification. In the spring, you can hear their becomes cold and sluggish. on their feet, the map turtle can swim in fast currents be useful when trying to escape from predators familiar "jug-o-rum, jug-o-rum" call. of large rivers where most other — and a new, smaller one, will grow back in Wow: It takes approximately three years for turtles cannot. its place. a bullfrog's eggs to undergo metamorphosis and turn into tadpoles while for most other amphibian species, this Heading to the process takes less than two weeks. Georgian Bay area for a vacation? Red-Spotted Newt Wood Frog Take the mini field guide along to help Habitat: Ponds and lakes with dense red-spotted newt Habitat: Although they are primarily terrestrial, these frogs you identify some of the region's unique submerged vegetation. are never far from water and can be found in marshes, Description: Shorter than a pencil, these creatures amphibians and reptiles. Even better, wet meadows and open grassy areas. are both aquatic and terrestrial-dwelling make a photocopy of the cards and Description: This medium-sized brown-grey frog at different stages of their lives. As their name suggests, has a distinctive black triangular mask running staple them together to make your own they have characteristic red-orange spots that are ringed in black along their backs. between its eyes and along the side of its head. field guide. You might want to include The adult aquatic newt has a brownish-olive colour background while the terrestrial Its call sounds much like the quacking of a duck. some blank pages so you can sketch young, the red eft, is a brighter orange-brown colour. Wow: Wood frogs are found throughout every your findings! Wow: Newts secrete toxic substances through their skin province and territory of Canada and are the only and, as a result, are usually left alone by fish and other predators. amphibian that is able to live north of the Arctic Circle. Now that's a cold blooded creature! red eft Musk Turtle ( shown on front page) The musk turtle is also called a stinkpot turtle because of the musky, smelly odour Northern Leopard Frog Eastern Grey Tree Frog Spring Peeper Eastern Hognose Snake that it gives off when frightened or han- Habitat: Wooded areas near a source of ( shown on front page) ( shown on front page) Habitat: Usually found near a source of water, dled. water, such as a wetland. Habitat: Lightly wooded areas near freshwater. Habitat: Although found in small ponds or near these snakes can be seen in open fields, Habitat: Slow moving, shallow water in marshes Description: This tiny brown-grey frog is only Description: This medium-sized frog gets its name other water sources during the breeding season, the mixed forests and meadows. and lakes. about 2.5 centimetres long (about the size of a from the irregularly placed black spots around its eastern grey tree frog spends most of its time in Description: Its wide head and Description: This small turtle is less than 13 cen- quarter) with a characteristic X on its back. Like green-brown body. trees so it can be difficult to spot. turned-up snout give this snake its name. timetres long. Its brown shell with black flecks is a the grey tree frog, the spring peeper has large Adults will eat just about anything that they can These snakes can be a wide variety of colours. contrast to its belly which is a brighter yellow and Description: The grey tree frog has small disks on toe pads that allow it to cling to vertical sur- catch, including insects, spiders, small mice and fish. Some are solid grey, brown or black while others have black. Two light coloured stripes are located on the ends of its fingers and toes that allow it to cling faces. Wow: Its call is a combination of about three sec- large dark blotches down their backs and smaller dark spots on either side of its dark head and its chin and throat to nearly any vertical surface. They feed on small Wow: Its shrill, high-pitched call sounds much onds of a low snoring noise, followed by clucking. their sides. Its thick body reaches lengths of between 50 and 84 centimetres. have what appear to be fleshy whiskers. insects, spiders and snails. like sleigh bells and is considered to be one of When disturbed, the leopard frog will leap away in Wow: When threatened, the hognose will raise its head and neck off the ground and flatten its head Wow: The musk turtle can reach the ripe old age Wow: This medium-sized frog's colour is depen- the first signs of spring. a zig-zag movement and try to escape to the safety to look cobra-like. It may hiss and strike at its aggressor. If it still feels threatened, it will play dead by of 50 years! dent on its immediate surroundings. It can change of water. its colour from green to grey to nearly white in turning upside down with its mouth hanging open. order to hide from predators!