Top Five SPOOKIEST Critters in Ontario!

Kuchera, Geoffrey. Little Brown Bat. Dreamstime.com. April 24, 2011. www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/bat. October 30, 2020.

Though Hallowe’en comes once a year at the end of October, we like to think that spooky season can last all autumn long. What better way to celebrate this time of year than to count down the spookiest critters in Ontario? Get ready to catch the creeps as we take you through our top FIVE.

5. Massasauga Rattlesnake
Ontario's only venomous snake, the Massasauga lives in many different habitats including prairies, bogs, marshes and forests. A scary looking snake, the Massasauga is about 60 cm long, brown to grey in colour with a blotch pattern along its skin. It's tail has the signature rattle on the end, which lets off a disturbing buzzing sound as it shakes. Though a bite from one of these critters could potentially be enough to kill a person if untreated, the Massasauga very rarely will approach or attack a human. Most bites are non-lethal and come as the result of a human approaching the snake, or accidentally stepping on one.

Toronto Zoo. www.torontozoo.com. October 30, 2020.

4. Lake Sturgeon
An endangered species in Ontario, the lake sturgeon can be found in the great lakes. This ancient-looking fish has a frightening appearance, covered in "scutes" resembling spikes, and with a great pointed snout. One of their most unsettling traits are the four great whiskers that hang down near the mouth. They are one of the largest freshwater fish in Canada, growing to over 3 meters in length. The biggest threats to this species include harvesting, dams, habitat loss and poor water quality. Conservation efforts for this freaky behemoth may be paying off, as tighter fishing regulations seem to be leading towards a recovery for the species.

The Life of Animals. www.thelife-animal.blogspot.com. October 30, 2020.

3. Fowler's Toad
Toads are slightly less scary in appearance, though their rough, warty and slimy skin still gives some people the creeps. Often associated with witches, hexes and potions, the toad has earned its place on this list. Fowler's toad is a species native to North America and is considered a species at risk in Ontario. Recognizable by its brown, grey and rusty colouring, Fowler's toads are most active at night. Threats to this species includes the development of cottages and urban areas which have taken away much of their natural habitat, along with the negative effects of pesticides and sprays.

Schalk Lab. cmschalk.weebly.com. October 30, 2020.

2. Bats
One of the spooky critters most commonly associated with Hallowe’en, bats sure do look the part! With about 8 species in Ontario, these little guys often get a bad wrap. Though there are blood-sucking varieties, none of those can be found in Ontario, and they do not feed on humans anyways, despite the myths and legends of vampires! Those types of bats prefer the blood of cows and other livestock. The kinds we have here in Ontario are much more friendly and important to the environment. Many of them are pollinators that flowers and plants rely on, and they also like to feast on pesky insects. Perhaps their nocturnal lifestyle and ominous appearance contributes to their reputation.

1. Black Widow Spider
Spiders are always considered to be creepy, but few in Ontario actually pose a threat to humans. Among the scariest of all the eight-legged creepers is the black widow. The well known slick black body with sinister red markings indicates a female black widow, while males are slightly smaller and brownish. Although they are considered to be one of the most venomous spiders in the world, they rarely attack humans unprovoked, and their bite has a mortality rate lower than 1% (their venom is meant for much smaller prey). A bite from a black widow will still be quite painful, and medical attention is definitely necessary. While it may be quite a rare encounter, black widows can be found in northern and southern Ontario, and though they may not be as deadly as they look, they still give us the creeps!

The World. www.pri.org. October 30, 2020