YouTube Videos: Turtle Tours in London, ONT

Thames River is Home to a Healthy Turtle Population

Gord Walks the TVP in Search of Soft Shells and Snappers

"What you lookin' at, Bub?" (a snapper's intimidation tactic)

Introduction:

I started looking for turtles along the Thames R. in earnest in 2022 and over the course of a few months - and after getting better at spotting them - I learned that my fair city's population of various turtles (Northern Maps, Spiny soft shells, Red-eared sliders, Common Maps, Painted turtles and big, old, Snapping turtles) seemed to be doing pretty well.

In the years since I have also learned that Spiny soft shells are an 'endangered species' but - thanks to the help of the Southern Ontario at Risk Reptiles program - beginning to make a comeback. Overall however, the turtle population is still at risk.

"Even with thousands (of Spiny soft shells) released each year, according to recent studies, only one to five per cent of hatchlings survive to maturity - a process that can take 15 years. For spiny soft shell turtles, five thousand hatchlings might yield about 50 breeding adults... Predation remains a fact of life - birds, fish, frogs and mammals will eat young turtles - but climate change is adding unpredictable dangers. Flooding events can wipe out nearly all natural nests, while extreme heat can cook eggs laid too high on gravel banks." (From 'Turtle Program makes Slow, but Steady Gains', Aug. 28, 2025, by A. Sathiaseelan, The Londoner)

I have photos (they will appear in a future video) of a large female Spiny soft shell trying to dig a nest on a gravel pathway, and it didn't look easy or in a safe, secure area. And with more fishermen walking the banks of the Thames each year (over the last four years of careful observation), often with large dogs, safe and secure egg-laying areas seem to be declining... in my humble opinion. 

Old cement debris makes a fine basking spot... at Turtle Point

Thanks to a medium-sized zoom lens, the number of good photos is increasing so I think the number of videos I produce and share on YouTube will gradually increase too, for awhile. And just wait until I get an even bigger zoom! You've been warned : )

Please find below a few of the many links to my YouTube videos related to my 'Turtle Tours' series:

1. He's Back!! More Turtle Tours (9) 2023

Bigfoot walks the TVP* toward Turtle Point on the Thames R.

*Turtle Point is on the Thames R. in sight of the downtown:

2. Final Turtle Tours (4) 2023

Painted turtles getting up close and personal

3. More Turtle Tours 2024 (1)

Turtle Point under high water

As the water lowers the number of turtles rises

The answer is, "Yes!"

More links to follow, to a few more of Gord's YouTube Videos

Unattributed Photos GH