Meet Quebec’s
amphibians and reptiles

Ecomuseum Zoo‘s Sufyan Mirza tells us more about these wonderful creatures and how we can help them

By Irwin Rapoport

July 3, 2025

Quebec is home to many species of reptiles and amphibians, some of which are holding their own while others are threatened due to habitat loss caused by development, pollution, deadly encounters with humans, and climate change.

Some of us have seen and caught frogs and tadpoles in the country and encountered toads and garter snakes in the Greater Montreal Area. On a summer day in Montreal West, I helped a toad get past a sidewalk barrier and growing up, I saw garter snakes and toads in a patch of forest close to our home in Côte Saint-Luc, which was built upon.

Last month, I saw a CBC news report, Quebec program that keeps tabs on frog species is looking for more volunteers, featuring the province’s Amphibian Population Monitoring Program that “helps track common frog species across Quebec to better understand what areas should be prioritized for conservation.”

… as amphibians that inhabit both aquatic and terrestrial environments, frogs are highly sensitive to environmental changes, making them excellent indicator species… research on their population trends offers valuable insights into the overall health of ecosystems.

The report chronicled the efforts of Sarah Prince-Robin, BA, MA, Director of Communications and Public Affairs at the Ecomuseum Zoo in Ste. Anne de Bellevue, and biologist Sufyan Mirza, M.Sc, also with the zoo, who specializes in research and conservation.

In this Q&A, Mirza discussed these interesting creatures and how we can help them:

WM: This year marks the 32nd Annual Frog Monitoring Program, which provides critical information on the populations of various frog species in Quebec. How important is this research, and how can people help out?

Spring peeper – Image: Mathieu Ouellette, courtesy of L’Atlas des amphibiens et reptiles du Québec

Mirza: Despite their unusual appearance and clumsy behaviour, frogs play a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems and provide numerous environmental benefits. They are a crucial part of the food chain, serving as an important food source for many predators.

By feeding on mosquitoes and other insects, frogs naturally help regulate pest populations. Additionally, as amphibians that inhabit both aquatic and terrestrial environments, frogs are highly sensitive to environmental changes, making them excellent indicator species. Because of all this, research on their population trends offers valuable insights into the overall health of ecosystems.

To assist with data collection, participants can volunteer to conduct two annual surveys each spring along predefined 8 km routes. Volunteers follow their assigned route and gather acoustic data at ten designated sampling stations by recording distinct frog species’ calls and their intensities on field sheets. Anyone interested in participating or learning more about the program can visit our website, zooecomuseum.ca, on the Conservation pages or contact me directly at sufyan.mirza@ecomuseum.ca

‘Frogs and salamanders are amphibians, meaning they depend on both terrestrial and aquatic habitats to complete the different stages of their life cycles.’

WM: Looking back over the data from the past 31 years, is the population and diversity of amphibians stable or declining?

Mirza: Among the three main frog species targeted in our program — the Wood frog, Spring Peeper, and American toad, data from past surveys indicate relatively stable population trends for the Spring Peeper and American toad, while Wood frog populations show a slight decline. The primary threat to Wood frogs and nearly all frog species is habitat loss and fragmentation, climate change, chemical runoff and other pollutants, road mortality, disease, etc.

Although these results might suggest that there is little cause for concern, it’s important to remember that these three species are the most common frogs in Quebec and do not represent the status of many other, less common species.

WM: What are some of the other amphibians, including salamanders in Quebec, and where can they be found? How is the loss of wetlands impacting their populations?

Eastern red-backed salamander – Image: Mathieu Ouellette, courtesy of L’Atlas des amphibiens et reptiles du Québec

Mirza: In Quebec, we can find eleven species of frogs and toads and ten species of salamanders. For a complete list and detailed information on each species, visit the Atlas of Amphibians and Reptiles of Quebec website.

Frogs and salamanders are amphibians, meaning they depend on both terrestrial and aquatic habitats to complete the different stages of their life cycles. All amphibians have a larval stage that typically occurs in water. Additionally, even when living on land, amphibians require their skin to remain moist to carry out cutaneous respiration, a vital process for gas exchange. As a result, they are commonly found in and around wetlands such as bogs, ponds, marshes, swamps, and vernal pools, as well as lakes, streams, and rivers.

Some more terrestrial species, such as the Eastern Red-backed Salamander, inhabit moist, shaded forests. The Eastern red-backed salamander is one of the few amphibian species that does not require an external aquatic habitat for its larval stage.

The loss of wetlands poses a serious — and often the greatest — threat to amphibian populations, as these ecosystems provide the necessary moisture and aquatic conditions crucial for reproduction and survival.

WM: Which turtle species reside in Quebec, and which ones are threatened and endangered?

Wood turtle – Image: Mathieu Ouellette, courtesy of L’Atlas des amphibiens et reptiles du Québec

Mirza: Of the eight turtle species found in Quebec, six are currently listed as either endangered or vulnerable: the wood turtle, Blanding’s turtle, spiny softshell turtle, eastern musk turtle, and the northern map turtle.

The primary threat to these species remains habitat loss and fragmentation. Other significant challenges include road mortality, climate change, pollution, illegal collection or poaching, invasive species, predation, and disturbances from human activities (e.g., boating accidents and development near nesting sites).

Turtle and amphibian habitats often overlap because both groups rely on access to aquatic and terrestrial environments. Some turtles, like the spiny softshell, are primarily aquatic and seldom leave the water, while others, such as the wood turtle, frequently move on land but remain close to water sources. Although you are more likely to find turtles in or next to a body of water, they tend to occupy a wider range of habitats as adult turtles can often tolerate drier terrestrial conditions.

‘The release of unwanted amphibian and reptile pets into the wild poses a significant threat, as invasive species often outcompete native wildlife for resources and habitat.’

WM: If people see an injured turtle or snake, where can these creatures be taken for medical help and rehabilitation and why should pet turtles not be released into the wild?

Mirza: Injured turtles can be brought to the Centre de réhabilitation des tortues du Québec in Laval.

The release of unwanted amphibian and reptile pets into the wild poses a significant threat, as invasive species often outcompete native wildlife for resources and habitat. In Quebec, the introduction of red-eared slider turtles through the pet trade has already put multiple native species at risk, with established populations documented in several areas. While this may not be the most urgent threat to native species, ongoing monitoring is strongly recommended to prevent further ecological impacts.

The release of exotic pets also poses a significant threat to native species by introducing exotic diseases. Exotic diseases — such as ranavirus, snake fungal disease, and chytridiomycosis (which affects amphibians) — have already led to severe population declines and even species extinctions in various parts of the world.

WM: What are the major threats that turtles and snakes encounter daily, and in particular, to their nesting sites, and does the zoo operate a rehabilitation center?

Map turtle – Image: Sufyan Mirza

Mirza: A major threat to turtles during the nesting period is road mortality. Females often travel far to find loose, sandy, or gravelly soil to bury their eggs, putting them at risk of being hit by vehicles. Snakes face similar dangers when migrating to and from their hibernation sites.

The primary threat to turtle nesting sites is habitat destruction. When appropriate nesting habitats are scarce, turtles may venture farther from water, increasing their exposure to other threats, such as predation and illegal collection.

One of the best ways people can help protect these species is by reporting sightings to the Atlas of Amphibians and Reptiles of Quebec. This data collection helps biologists, like me, to track population trends and identify road crossing hotspots, improving conservation efforts. Additionally, people can assist by reporting and protecting turtle nests. Temporary exclusion cages can be placed over nests to shield eggs from predators. For more information about exclusion cages (e.g., how to build one), please contact us at aarq@ecomuseum.ca

‘One of the best ways people can help protect these species is by reporting sightings to the Atlas of Amphibians and Reptiles of Quebec. This data collection helps biologists, like me, to track population trends and identify road crossing hotspots, improving conservation efforts.’

The Ecomuseum Zoo is not a rehabilitation center or veterinary clinic. We collaborate with numerous organizations across Quebec that assess whether an animal can safely return to the wild. In cases where the animal cannot be returned to the wild, if we have the space and resources, we welcome the animal, often for the rest of its life.

Our Research and Conservation Department is dedicated to protecting and preserving the natural habitats and populations of wild turtles and other native wildlife. For example, the team implements protective measures at known turtle road-crossing hotspots and actively monitors, maintains, and safeguards nesting sites and other essential habitats to support the long-term survival of these species.

WM: What are the main snake species in Quebec, and how can people help to protect their nesting sites and individuals when mowing lawns?

Garter snake – Image: Mathieu Ouellette, courtesy of L’Atlas des amphibiens et reptiles du Québec

Mirza: Eight snake species can be found, with the most common being the garter and red-bellied snakes. Although snakes are often portrayed as dangerous or villainous, none of the snake species in Quebec are venomous. They play a vital role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem.

This is where another key mission of the Ecomuseum Zoo comes into play: environmental education. Many of the reptiles and amphibians in our care take part in our educational programs to help visitors understand their vital role in ecosystems, and just how important it is to protect them. Through these close encounters, we aim to inspire curiosity, respect, and a deeper commitment to preserving local biodiversity.

Many snake species may be living closer to your neighbourhood than you realize. These discreet creatures play a vital role in controlling pest populations, making their conservation essential. Snakes often inhabit shrublands and areas with tall grasses, so it’s important to avoid excessive mowing, as these habitats also support a variety of other wildlife, including birds, butterflies, and small mammals.

‘Although snakes are often portrayed as dangerous or villainous, none of the snake species in Quebec are venomous. They play a vital role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem.’

Additionally, snakes require cover such as rocks or wood piles. Creating simple shelters, like a rock pile, is an easy and effective way to help protect and support local snake populations. Another valuable way to contribute to snake conservation is by reporting your sightings to the Atlas of Amphibians and Reptiles of Quebec. This data helps us better understand snake distribution and improve targeted conservation efforts.

WM: Many wetlands in the greater Montreal area have been lost to development, and most recently, we witnessed the large-scale destruction of wetlands at the site of the proposed Northvolt battery plant and the draining of wetlands in the Technoparc wilderness area. What are the impacts of such actions?

Mirza: The loss of these valuable habitats can have severe consequences for biodiversity as a whole. Wetlands support a wide variety of wildlife, including amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, and numerous microorganisms. These habitats provide essential shelter, breeding grounds, and feeding areas for many species. When wetlands are destroyed, it often results in population declines and, in some cases, local extinctions of vulnerable species.

WM: We have facilities that breed fish to restock lakes and rivers. Are there similar facilities to breed reptiles and amphibians to restore locally extinct populations and bolster declining populations?

Mirza: Zoos and aquariums can play a valuable role in restoring extinct or critically endangered populations through captive breeding programs, but such efforts should be considered a last resort. Habitat loss and degradation remain the leading threats to reptiles and amphibians. Most species can thrive if they are provided with sufficient, high-quality habitat that is free from additional human-induced pressures such as road mortality, pollution, and poaching.

Government agencies also play a critical role by enacting and enforcing strong conservation legislation, expanding protected areas, and providing the necessary funding to safeguard biodiversity and the habitats on which all species depend.

‘There are countless reasons to care about amphibian and reptile populations. They are part of our natural heritage, and studying them offers valuable insights that benefit conservation and science. We encourage children and adults to come discover them at the Ecomuseum Zoo!’

WM: Why should we care about reptiles and amphibians and their habitat?

Mirza: There are countless reasons to care about amphibian and reptile populations. They are part of our natural heritage, and studying them offers valuable insights that benefit conservation and science. We encourage children and adults to come discover them at the Ecomuseum Zoo!

zooecomuseum.ca

Feature image: red-bellied snake by Mathieu Ouellette, courtesy of L’Atlas des amphibiens et reptiles du Québec