WHO? WHERE? MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL RELATIONSHIPS?

The above Chelydra (Snapping Turtle) was wandering on the north-east buffer of the Creditview Wetland and by the fence this past summer. He(?) seemed to be trying to find his way back into the marsh and swamp. Hope he got back before his predators found him.

Snappers are big compared to other turtles (45 cm or so) - with a long neck and tail and a comparatively small shell. Even though females move onto land to deposit their eggs, snapping turtles spend most of their time in the Wetland swamp crawling along the bottom. Click the picture above to get a closer look. What plants are growing on this guy's shell? Will she(?) be the last 'snapper' to have the Wetland as his(?) habitat? Is her species or those species she depends on nearly locally extinct? Who would miss her? Does she play an important role in the ecology of the Creditview Wetland for other life forms?

This amazing gem of a wetland that exists smack dab in the heart of Mississauga, harbours many such life forms. Many of her species and other significant species lost more than half of their habitat space in the mid to late 90's - then left the Wetland? Ask those homeowners who have lived in this area for the last 15 years or so. They tell the stories of experiencing the painted turtles and Snapping Turtles in their back yards, crossing roads - looking for a new home at this time.

Our children are beginning to realize that the Creditview Wetland and other local urban wilderness sites are part of their habitat as well. We and our future generations depend on healthy wetlands - healthy watersheds. Grab your camera or paint brush and try to capture this 'snapper', or perhaps a painted turtle? Get to know the creatures that make up the Creditview Wetland? Realize how we impact on their habitats? Do something about it? Too many questions?