Leave space for reptiles. As a landowner or manager try to leave shorelines and wetlands natural. Shrubs, long grass and brush or rock piles provide a good refuge for snakes. Decaying logs can provide nesting sites for egg-laying snakes and the five-lined skink.

Protect nesting areas for turtles. Well drained, sandy slopes near water are ideal locations. Keep invasive plants such as purple loosestrife clear from these areas. If you observe a turtle laying eggs, help protect these eggs from predation. Try making protective wire cages, or sprinkling the nest site with water which may help remove the smells that attract predators. Try not to encourage predators such as raccoons or skunks; make sure your garbage is inaccessible to these opportunistic omnivores. Predators, such as the raccoon, destroy 80-100% of turtle eggs. If you have observed a turtle laying eggs, you can help reduce the chance of the eggs being destroyed by building a protective cage.

To build the cage:

• Use hardware cloth (1cm² wire) for the upper part of the cage and chicken wire for the below ground section.
• Form hardware cloth into a square of approximately 50 cm in size and 10 cm high.
  Attach chicken wire, about 20 cm long on the bottom edge of cage. This will be buried to prevent predators from digging underneath the cage.

Placing the cage:

• Once the turtle has finished laying the eggs and has left the area, centre the cage over the nest area and carefully bury the chicken wire. You do not want to disturb the eggs.
• If you leave the cage on throughout the incubation period, make sure to diligently monitor the cage for the appearance of the hatchlings. If your cage prevented predators from getting in, the turtles won't be able to get out!

• Please report your sightings!
  There is a lack of basic biological knowledge and funding to support research. The contribution of your sighting reports for these reptiles can help focus research efforts and guide management decisions.
  
  Reptile Watch!
  Please report to Conservation Officers any individual who is attempting to collect or sell these reptiles as pets.
  
  Brake for Snakes!
  Be aware while driving of nesting turtles or basking snakes. If you see a turtle or shanke on the road and you are able to help it across safely, do so, but do not move them to a new area! Reptiles usually return to the same nesting and hibernation sites each year.