Critter Cache: Painted Turtle Traditional Cache
Herpers: Every time we replace the cache it is muggled within a couple of weeks.
Critter Cache: Painted Turtle
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(micro)
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This is the second cache in the “Critters Cache” series. It is located in the Lake Wilcox Fish and Wildlife Refuge. This is a beautiful little area on a marshy area located on Lake Wilcox. Please stay on the trail and board walk! Lake Wilcox is home to a large number of animals throughout the year including the painted turtle (Chrysemys picta). This cache series reflects the lifestyle of the animal being profiled so read the description below in order to gain clues for where to look for this cache.
The Midland painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) is one of eight turtles found in Ontario. In this part of the lake we have seen 20+ adults turtles basking on logs at one time. We have also found babies in the water. These turtles can be found throughout Eastern and Southern Ontario. They are characterized by the red and yellow markings found along their black limbs and shells. The painted turtle grows to lengths of 25 cm long, and females are larger than males. Males are characterized by their long front toe nails which are used to ‘tickle’ females during courtship in the spring. These turtles spent the majority of their time in the water but on sunny days they can be seen basking (sometimes in large numbers) on top of logs or on the banks of lakes. Painted turtles are omnivorous eating everything from aquatic insects to vegetation. During the summer months female turtles lay 4 to 23 eggs in a dirt nests near the waters edge. Females will some times travel long distances in to find nesting locations. This results in the turtles being hit by cars and suffering injury or death. If you see a painted turtle crossing the road you can assist them by picking them up near the back of the shell and moving them to the other side of the road in the direction they were moving to. PLEASE NOTE: ONLY DO THIS IF IT IS SAFE TO DO SO AND YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE PICKING UP AND MOVING A TURTLE. Although most painted turtles are shy creatures and will retreat to their shells when disturbed, they have very sharp claws and can give a good bite! Please note that through this series we are not encouraging that anyone bother or harass wildlife (that is not in immediate danger of being hit by a car). Please do not pick- up, touch, disturb, or TAKE-HOME turtles or any other wildlife.
Just to give you an idea of the wildlife that can be observed at this spot today (April 18, 2008) we spotted about 10 painted turtles basking, 1 snapping turtle, 1 garter snake, 1 bullfrog, and a few wood frogs singing.
Now for the details on the cache. You are looking for a micro container. It contains only a log book. Please bring your own writing utensil. We would be interested in hearing about any painted turtles or other wildlife that you see while grabbing this cache, so when logging this cache please list anything you see or hear! And of course pictures of cachers or the wildlife observed are more than welcome! Also, if any other cachers out there are herpers (herpetologists) like us please write your favorite herp-related story. Limited parking is available at the posted parking co-ordinates. The caches is a short walk down the trail to the lake. There is no need to go in the water.
If you enjoyed this cache please check out the other caches in this series:
• GC1BBZA
February 18, 2014: This cache has been replaced with a new one. Please be sure to put it back exactly as found so it is not muggled again. Thank-you!
June 7, 2016: The cache has been replaced with a new one. Please replace as found.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)