3 Types of Reptiles found in Ontario (2025)

Are you wondering what reptiles you can find in Ontario?

Types of reptiles in Ontario

This is a great question! Although these reptiles are widespread, they can be difficult to find. Most reptiles, including snakes, turtles, and lizards, are secretive and shy. But observing and finding reptiles is a really fun experience!

Below you will find a list of the most common and interesting reptiles that live in Ontario. In addition, you will find detailed pictures, along with range maps for each species to help with your identification!

3 COMMON Reptiles in Ontario:


#1. Eastern Garter Snake

  • Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis

Common reptiles in Ontario

Identifying Characteristics:

  • Adults typically range from 45 to 66 cm in length.
  • Coloration varies and can be mixtures of green, brown, or black. Look for a distinct yellow or whitish stripe down the center of their back.
  • Some individuals may exhibit a checkered body pattern.
  • Subspecies of the Common Garter Snake.

Eastern Garter Snakes are a very common reptile in Ontario!

In fact, they are typically the snake species that people come across the most. They’re well-adapted to living around people and can often be found in city parks, farmland, cemeteries, and suburban lawns and gardens. Though not required, they prefer grassy environments near freshwater sources such as ponds, lakes, ditches, and streams.

eastern garter snake range map

Look for these reptiles in Ontario basking in the sun in grassy areas near cover.

Eastern Garter Snakes protect themselves when they are cornered or feel threatened. For example, if you disturb one, it will defecate and release a foul-smelling musk from its glands. It’s also common for them to bite as a last resort!

YouTube video

The Eastern Garter Snake most commonly preys on toads, frogs, slugs, salamanders, fish, and worms. However, they are very opportunistic and will eat other insects and small animals they can overpower.


#2. Common Snapping Turtle

  • Chelydra serpentina

Ontario reptiles

Identifying Characteristics:

  • They weigh 4.5-15 kg and grow 20-47 cm long.
  • The snapping turtle has a long tail, chunky head, and large webbed feet.
  • The carapace (upper shell) coloring is black, brown, or olive with no distinct pattern.

These prehistoric-looking reptiles live in southern Ontario.

Look for them living in marshes, lakes, ponds, rivers, and slow streams. They prefer areas with plenty of aquatic vegetation to hide in and insects, fish, frogs, and birds to eat.

Snapping Turtles are best known for their powerful jaws. While there aren’t any recorded incidents of one of their bites causing amputation to a person, it can cause infections serious enough to require an amputation. In fact, their jaws are so strong that snapping turtles commonly eat other turtles!

YouTube video

These reptiles are usually docile but will become very aggressive if removed from the water. One of the best ways to calm an aggressive individual is to place it back into the water, where it can feel safe. I know I have personally picked them up with a large snow shovel to get them off the road and back to safety!


#3. Painted Turtle

  • Chrysemys picta

Reptiles in Ontario

Identifying Characteristics:

  • 6.25 to 25.5 cm long.
  • The carapace is low to the ground and generally dark brown or black.
  • As the name suggests, they have distinctive yellow, green, and red striping on the carapace, head, and limbs.

The Painted Turtle is one of the most recognizable reptiles in Ontario!

Look for its beautiful coloring of bright reds and yellow greens on its shell, limbs, and head. Painted Turtles live near calm, shallow water. They are attracted to areas with plenty of aquatic plants, their primary food source.

Painted Turtle Rangemap:

It’s almost impossible to accurately assess the population of Painted Turtles in Ontario. Many people keep them as pets and then release them into the wild, causing an ever-expanding range and unstable reproduction rates. These released reptiles can also put pressure on natural populations.

In the wild, Painted Turtles can hold their breath for up to 30 hours!

YouTube video

They also can remain dormant in near-freezing water for up to 4 months. This ability is essential when temperatures often go below freezing.


What types of reptiles in Ontario have you seen?

Let us know in the comments!

And if you’re looking for a more comprehensive list of specific reptiles like snakes, lizards, or turtles, check out our ID guides to these fascinating creatures!

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