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THE STORY OF THE

NORTHERN RIFFLESHELL

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LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT

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The Toronto Zoo acknowledges the land we are on is the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. We also acknowledge that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit and the Williams Treaty signed with multiple Mississaugas and Chippewa bands.

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OUR HABITAT

Great Lakes Region in Ontario

Shared with around 3, 500 different species!

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EVERYONE HAS A WILDLIFE STORY

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MY WILDLIFE STORY

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WHAT IS YOUR WILDLIFE STORY?

What animals have you encountered in your neighbourhood?

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SO, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

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There is wildlife in our cities, neighbourhoods, and backyards.

We share our habitat with diverse plant and animal life.

Our everyday actions have an impact on wildlife.

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THERE ARE OVER 150 DIFFERENT KINDS OF FISH

IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION

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THERE ARE ALSO 41 FRESHWATER MUSSEL SPECIES IN ONTARIO

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Meet Snapper, the northern riffleshell!

Hi!

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ALL ABOUT SNAPPER

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Hard shell for protection

Soft insides, sometimes with pearls

“Foot” to help them move around

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WHAT DO NORTHERN RIFFLESHELLS LOOK LIKE?

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FIRST UP� CONSULTANTS

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SNAPPER’S LIFE CYCLE

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VOCABULARY

Glochidia

Parasite

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FIRST UP� CONSULTANTS

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SNAPPER’S FOOD

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VOCABULARY

Omnivore

Filter feeder

Yum!

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SNAPPER’S HOME

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Hi!

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Snapper needs our help!

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THREATS SNAPPER FACES

Dams and other barriers: restrict movement of host animals and change water flow

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Water diversions: change how a stream flows and functions

Climate change: warming water and changes to rain and snow

Toxic chemicals in its freshwater home

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SNAPPER’S STORY IS

STILL BEING WRITTEN

By working together, we can give Snapper a happy ending!

Remember:

We share our habitat with plant and animal life
Our everyday actions have an impact on wildlife, and can help or harm animals like Snapper

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So what can we do to help Snapper?

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DON’T WASTE WATER!

Water is important because it:

Is home for many animals and plants
Helps cool down our climate
Is important for humans, animals, and plants to live!

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KEEP OUR WATER CLEAN!

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THE THREE R’S

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EXPLORE NATURE!

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TEACH OTHERS!

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Thank you for listening!

Any questions?

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