The Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario(COSSARO) considers 13 of Ontario's 28 reptiles to be speices at risk. Why are they at risk?
Threats to Snakes
- Loss and fragmentation of habitat continues to be the major threat.
This results in an increase in traffic mortality of snakes, and the
loss of nesting or birthing sites and hibernation sites.
- While attitudes towards snakes are changing, they are still many
people who needlessly kill snakes.
Threats to Turtles
- All three turtles share a low reproductive rate. This combined
with a high rate of mortality for adult females along roadways and high
predation of nests by animals, such as racoons, means the population
has a low capacity to rebound.
- The illegal collection of turtles for the pet trade is a serious
threat. This loss of mature adults has serious consequences for future
populations. Losing just a few adult females may cause a local population
to disappear.
- Healthy wetlands are critical for these species. The loss, degradation and fragmentation of our wetlands are a common threat to all these reptiles.
Threats to Skinks
- Waterfront development has contributed to the decline of this
species.
- Five-lined skinks are also collected illegally for the pet trade.