Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas

Ontario Nature protects wild species and spaces through conservation, education and public engagement. A registered charity, Ontario Nature represents more than 30,000 members and supporters, and 150 member groups from across Ontario.

Reptiles and amphibians are currently undergoing global decline with 1 in 5 species struggling to survive in the wild. Within Ontario alone, 75% of reptiles and 30% of amphibians are listed as nationally or provincially at-risk. These species are threatened for various reasons, but most prominently by human activities including road mortality, habitat loss, poaching, and predation.

The Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas (ORAA) is the most comprehensive and up-to-date resource on reptiles and amphibians in Ontario. Click  here  to read the publication!

The  Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas  was adopted by Ontario Nature in 2009 to build on information previously collected by the Ontario Herpetofaunal Summary (OHS) and the Eastern Ontario Herpetofaunal Atlas (EOHA). The goal of Ontario Nature's ORAA was to gather a comprehensive record of reptile and amphibian sightings across the province.

Thanks to contributions gathered from outreach and engagement by community scientists, dedicated herpetologists, and researchers across the province, Ontario Nature has been able to fill numerous knowledge gaps associated with Ontario's reptile and amphibian species. The data collected by the ORAA, and past atlas efforts, documents our current knowledge on the distribution of reptiles and amphibians in Ontario in an effort to inform ongoing conservation efforts. Almost 500,000 observations were collected up until 2019, promoting a better understanding of Ontario's amphibian and reptile ecology. This would not have been possible without the dedicated support of herpetologists, researchers, and community scientists!

We offer six stories about Ontario's reptiles and amphibians that present fascinating perspectives based on data collected across each atlas effort.

ORAA Limitations: It is important to note that limitations exist when interpreting the range of any species. There are multiple reasons why a species may or may not be reported in a grid square and for this reason, range maps should be interpreted carefully. Examples include, but are not limited to, varying probability of detection across species (some species are more difficult to find in comparison to others), varying level of search effort, ease of access, available habitat and varying availability of historical data across species. Although current data provide a good foundation for our knowledge on reptile and amphibian distribution, species are continuously being discovered in new areas.

Where should researchers and community scientists focus their search effort to identify new populations of reptiles and amphibians? Occupancy modelling of ORAA data has identified atlas squares that are likely to have reptile populations but have no observations since 2009, when the ORAA began. These maps are useful for identifying where unreported populations of species are likely to occur. Predicted occupancy maps can be used to prioritize future search efforts by identifying atlas squares with the highest cumulative probability of reporting new species.

Learn more about occupancy analyses  here  and view occupancy maps for more reptiles in Ontario  here . The example below for both snakes and turtles demonstrates potential regions for promising community science projects in the future.

The map on the right shows high priority atlas squares for finding new populations of snakes in southern Ontario based on occupancy modelling. This map shows the 10% of atlas squares with the highest cumulative probability of having multiple species. Only squares with less than 50% open water and at least half of their area within Ontario are shown.

The map on the left shows high priority atlas squares for finding new populations of turtles in southern Ontario based on occupancy modelling.

These maps are interactive, please explore the areas in need of more information.

While the  Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas  is no longer collecting submissions, there is still a continued need for data collection. Countless opportunities remain for community scientists to participate in further research and conservation for reptiles and amphibians across the province. Ontario Nature’s  online field guide  and  interactive maps  remain available to assist in finding and identifying reptiles and amphibians. Below are three simple ways you can help contribute to further efforts. 

iNaturalist

• Although 2019 was the last year of data collection for the app or online forms, you can still submit any sightings to the iNaturalist  ‘Herps of Ontario’  project.
• You can directly add observations by going to the website and clicking the 'add observations' button or by downloading the iNaturalist App (from iTunes for Apple devices or Google Play for Android devices).
• Any future data downloads by Ontario Nature will be through this platform.

Natural Heritage Information Centre (NHIC)

• You can submit any Species at Risk sightings to the ‘ NHIC ’ project on iNaturalist. Simply submit your sightings by clicking the 'add observations button' on the home page.
• You can also submit observations to the NHIC through their online  observation reporting form  or by emailing the NHIC at  nhicrequests@ontario.ca . 

• Help reptiles and amphibians across roads if it is safe to do so, by moving them safely in the direction they are headed. If you find an injured turtle, call the  Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre . 
• Create or maintain reptile and amphibian habitat in your own backyard. If you already have important habitat for reptiles and amphibians on your property, you could consider creating a conservation easement, which can be done through a number of organizations including Ontario Nature or other local land trusts. 
• Help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species and disease, which pose significant threats to amphibian and reptile populations. This is as easy as sanitizing your gear when moving between different areas. 
• Never release captive wildlife (e.g. pet fish or turtles) into the wild, since every release has the potential of spreading harmful diseases into the wild! 
• Educate your friends, family and neighbours on the importance of these animals on the landscape and include them in stewardship activities you are participating in! 

If you are passionate about conservation initiatives and becoming an  advocate for nature  in Ontario,  volunteer with Ontario Nature!  There are many ways for everyone to  get involved  in reptile and amphibian conservation.

For more resources on reptiles and amphibians in Ontario and opportunities for getting involved, see  Stewardship .

The  Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas  publication would not have been possible without the contributions of more than 12,000 dedicated community scientists, biologists, researchers and naturalists province-wide. Whether data was submitted individually or as an organization, it contributed towards our current understanding of reptile and amphibian distributions and will continue to assist researchers, conservation practitioners and herp-enthusiasts alike in advancing herpetofaunal conservation in Ontario. 

The ORAA Publication and StoryMap were made possible with the financial support of the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, and many other funders and contributing agencies. Please see  The Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas  publication for a full list of acknowledgements, including all contributors and funders.