Come forth into the light of things, let nature be your teacher. ---Wordsworth
In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous. ---Aristotle
No man ever steps in the same river twice. ---Heraclitus
Nothing in biology makes sense except in light of evolution.
---Dobzhansky
To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent tinkering. ---Leopold
A bad day in the field is still better than a good day in the lab. ---Hecnar
Amphibians and Reptiles in Northwestern Ontario
In terms of amphibian and reptile species richness, Northwestern Ontario (west of 85 degrees longitude) is not as diverse as many other regions of North America. However, the rugged post-glacial landscape and abundance of forest, lakes and wetlands across the region provides great spatial heterogeneity and more natural habitat than can be found in most other areas in North America. As a consequence, amphibians and reptiles occur almost everywhere in the region.
Northwestern Ontario is inhabitated by 13 amphibian species (8 frogs, 1 toad, 5 salamanders) and 4 reptiles (2 snakes, 2 turtles). The cold climate of the region presents formidable challenges for ectothermic (cold-blooded) organisms and most species reach their northern range limits within the region. Adaptations and strategies that enable these hardy species to survive the harsh winters and short activity seasons here include: production of cryoprotectants (anti-freeze), winter dormancy (hibernation), and over-wintering of larvae before metamorphosis. Amphibians and reptiles in Northwestern Ontario are active from about the middle of April until about late September. The exact timing of emergence and entry to hibernacula varies annually depending on weather conditions, but corresponds closely with the melting of ice on local waterbodies in the spring and the beginning of hard frosts in the autumn.
The details of distribution for most species in the region are largely unknown. Northern boundaries of amphibians and reptiles in Northwestern Ontario that are depicted in published range maps are for the most part only educated guesses. Occupancy for virtually all species is poorly documented because the regions herpetofauna remains largely unexplored. It is highly unlikely that any species new to science will be discovered here, but the presence of other more southern species is a possibility as new areas are surveyed.
If you would like to report observations of amphibians or reptiles from Northwestern Ontario, or would like to have a specimen from the region identified, please feel free to contact us.
List of Amphibian and Reptile Species Occurring in Northwestern Ontario