Turtles Kingston

Turtles Kingston Turtles Kingston is a not-for-profit organization that aims to protect turtles within Kingston and the area

Watch for turtles as you drive roads adjacent to turtle habitat? What is turtle habitat? Well, it's more than just a wet...
06/13/2026

Watch for turtles as you drive roads adjacent to turtle habitat?

What is turtle habitat? Well, it's more than just a wetland. In Ontario, you can find turtles in any body of water as well as the land areas adjacent to them.

Remember, our local turtles are semi-aquatic freshwater turtles meaning they actually spend time on land. Not a lot but more than you think, and depending on species they could be kilometres from water.

06/13/2026

Turtles may abandon nesting for a variety of reasons including being disturbed by humans / animals or if they decide it’s not a good enough location.

If you want to protect turtle nests you’re looking for a completely covered nest. If there is a hole it is unlikely there are eggs in it.

It is easiest to protect the nest of a female turtle you actively saw nesting. Otherwise they are very hard to find.

Let the female finish (keeping your distance) then protect the nest and help the mother turtle cross the road if she wants.

‼️ mother turtles are exhausted and take big turns which may make it look like they want to cross the road when they don’t. Be sure to give her space and only help across the road if you are sure she wants to go that way.

06/12/2026

NEVER take a turtle from their habitat for any reason beyond bringing it to receive care if it is injured. Even the. You must record the exact location they were found so they can be returned to the habitat they know - where they know where to get food, safe places to spend the winter, perfect nesting sites and where to find a mate.

📍Where might you find turtle eggs? 🐢 dug up by a predator🐢 on the road by an injured turtle🐢 in the grass (uncommon but ...
06/12/2026

📍Where might you find turtle eggs?

🐢 dug up by a predator
🐢 on the road by an injured turtle
🐢 in the grass (uncommon but can happen)
🐢 accidentally dug up while gardening etc.

Before we tell you what to do when you come across turtle eggs you must know that you can NEVER purposefully dig up or disturb a turtle nest. Not only is it illegal but you will likely harm or kill the eggs / hatchlings in that nest.

If you find a turtle nest in a hazardous location (likely to be destroyed by human activity) you can contact us and we can work with you to get us permits to extract the nest and rescue it.

✨WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU FIND TURTLE EGGS.

🐢 if they are in a nest recover them with soil
🐢 if they are exposed and not in a nest, place them in a container with soil. Try not to rotate the eggs and do not put much pressure on them when handling. Transport these eggs ASAP to Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre or one of our temporary holding stations (participating vets).
❌ do not keep the eggs
❌ do not disturb a turtle nest
✅ make sure to get them to a rehab centre within 24 hrs.

🐢What to do when you find a nesting turtle1️⃣Give mother turtles space when they are nesting - ideally 10 metres but at ...
06/11/2026

🐢What to do when you find a nesting turtle

1️⃣Give mother turtles space when they are nesting - ideally 10 metres but at least 5 metres.

2️⃣If you are able, stick around and wait for the female turtle to finish nesting — this could take 30 minutes to several hours.

3️⃣After she is done nesting she may need help crossing a road. Be sure she means to cross the road and isn’t making a wide turn.

4️⃣If possible, protect the turtle nest from predation with a nest protector - be aware there are different requirements when protecting nests on public property. We sell nest protectors for $15 from Potters Nurseries or from our website (if you want same day pick up go to Potters)

5️⃣It is especially important during nesting season (May to August) to move turtles in the direction they were heading as it is likely you’ve found a mother turtle who is traveling away from the water to nest! ✨🐢

6️⃣After you’ve protected a nest there is nothing more for you to do except watch for baby turtle hatchlings 60-90 days later. However, hatchlings may not emerge in the autumn and instead come out the following spring.

You may have noticed we have t-shirts now! We sold out of the small number we ordered for Turtle Awareness Day and will ...
06/11/2026

You may have noticed we have t-shirts now! We sold out of the small number we ordered for Turtle Awareness Day and will be putting in another order soon.

You can place a pre-order on our website to make sure we get the size you want! Youth sizes XS-XL and adult sizes XS-5XL available. Payment required at time of pre-order.

https://www.turtleskingston.com/turtle-store/p/pre-order-t-shirt-turtles-kingston

We've restocked Potter's Nurseries on Golden Mile Rd. 9 more nest protectors available and we will drop off another 9 at...
06/10/2026

We've restocked Potter's Nurseries on Golden Mile Rd.

9 more nest protectors available and we will drop off another 9 at the end of the week.

If you find a turtle after 6 pm most temporary holding stations in Kingston and rehab centres in Napanee will be closed ...
06/10/2026

If you find a turtle after 6 pm most temporary holding stations in Kingston and rehab centres in Napanee will be closed for the evening and you will need keep the turtle over night - dropping them off the following day.

EDIT: The Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre in Peterborough is open until 8pm. They may be able to get a turtle taxi to you if you find a turtle after 6pm. You can always call them at 705-741-5000.

✨If you must keep the turtle overnight please do as follows:

1️⃣place it in a well-ventilated container with a lid

2️⃣find a quiet, cool, dark place to store the turtle over night

3️⃣do NOT provide the turtle any food or water

4️⃣ensure all pets and people stay away from the turtle

You can place a towel in the container under the turtle but ensure the towel is dry. This can provide them a little comfort but is not required.

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Kingston, ON
K7K THROUGH K7P

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