Dr. Ron Brooks , a Zoologist and Professor at the University of Guelph, is one of the foremost herpetologists in Canada. His passion for all creatures is readily apparent. Microscopic mites, antler flies, earthworms, lemmings, birds, lizards, frogs, snakes, turtles and keen biology students are just a few of the species that have received his concerned attention during his illustrious career.

Studying turtles came about quite by accident in the 1970’s when the lemmings he was studying were killed by a ferret. His student at the time suggested working on snapping turtles instead… and the rest is history. Since then he has worked with most species of Ontario turtles and snakes and has contributed much to our understanding of these fascinating creatures.

Highlights of his research include:
- demonstrating that turtles have a delayed onset of maturity, often not reproducing until 20 years of age.
- finding turtles have exceptionally high annual survival - 99% of adults in Ontario turtles. Turtles normally have very low mortality rates as adults and the structure of their populations is such that even small increases in the mortality rate- even as little as 1-3%- will push populations to extinction.
- turtles can not compensate for increased rates of mortality.

When asked what his most significant accomplishment is, Dr. Brooks replies without hesitation that it is his work as the Herpetofaunal Chair on COSEWIC (the Committee On the Status of Endangered Wildlife In Canada). Reptiles are the most disadvantaged class of animal in Canada, with proportionately more species listed by COSEWIC than any other. 80% of Ontario turtles have been listed by COSEWIC as Species of Special Concern, and several snakes have been listed as well. The reason is simple- at the northern limit of their range, reptiles cannot withstand the heavy losses due to road mortality, habitat loss and increased predation. Dr. Brooks warns that people need to recognize that a whole class of animal is being exterminated by our activities. Unless we start taking steps to protect these valuable animals, many species will cease to exist in Ontario. But there is hope. If we follow the example set by Kids 4 Turtles, Adopt-a Pond and other conservation groups we can make a difference together, to ensure the coming generations will enjoy the sight of painted turtles basking on a log!!

More Research Highlights:
A decline of 50% of adults in an Algonquin population of snapping turtles still has shown no sign of recovery after 15 years and indeed it appears the population is continuing to decline, because recruitment is poor and remaining adults are slowly disappearing. Similarly, there was NO evidence that the turtles compensated for the decreasing population by increasing the number or size of eggs, the growth rate of juveniles, or the number of times nesting per year. Thus turtles seem to lack the "density dependent " population responses that we see in many shorter-lived species. Recent analyses of a population of wood turtles in southwest Ontario have shown similar results. The population has undergone a major decline, likely from harvesting for the pet trade, and has continued to decline. This population will become extinct without significant and long term intervention. ( Note: as of this year, the Wood Turtle Recovery Team will start an ambitious recovery project and has asked the Kawartha Turtle trauma Centre to assist).

Recent work in Dr. Brooks’ lab and in the field suggests that the northern limits of snakes and turtles in Ontario (Canada) are determined largely by the amount of heat available to the reptiles' nests in summer. If there is not enough heat then the embryos will not complete incubation and reproduction will fail. These temperature constraints confine reptiles in Canada to the southern edge of the country which is highly populated by people as well. This means high concentrations of roads and developments reducing habitat, fragmenting populations which cannot cross large or divided highways, and increasing the likelihood of fatal contact with a human or vehicle. As well, protected habitats are smaller and more isolated in the south so that reptiles face exceptional pressure against their maintenance of viable populations.

Work on the Blue Racer demonstrated the size of the last Canadian population, on Pelee Island, was only about 200 snakes. These snakes maintained widely dispersed feeding, hibernation and nesting sites. These sites were spread out because of habitat fragmentation by human activity. This meant that the snakes had very large ranges and ran extra risks trying to carry out their normal activities, particularly having to cross roads to get from one area to another.