This week we are celebrating the snakes of Murphys Point with Snake Week! This week encourages snake awareness, coexistence, and snake safety.
Throughout July and August meet one of our captive Gray Ratsnakes and learn how you can help protect this species at risk. Talks take place daily at 2PM outside the Murphys Point Park Store with our Discovery Rangers.
Follow @friendsofmurphyspointpark on Instagram and Facebook to see more of our snake conservation and learn about our Adopt-a-Snake program!
Day Use Passes for the park can be purchased online at reservations.ontarioparks.ca by selecting Murphys Point as your park up to 5 days in advance.
When you think of Canadian animals what comes to mind? I bet you probably thought of a beaver! These hardworking, dam builders are deeply associated with the great Canadian outdoors. In fact, you probably have or had a little beaver in your wallet recently with our furry friend on the back of the nickel.
A beavers swimming
Amick (AH-mick) is the Anishinaabemowin name for beaver. Prior to the arrival of settlers, Indigenous peoples had long recognized the importance and value of beavers. Their fur could be used for clothing, their bones for tools, even their castoreum scent could be used in hunting lures. They have a large influence on the ecosystem and bring water.
These ecosystem engineers alter their habitats to create wetlands which other species depend on. They use trees and shrubs to build dams and their home lodges. The damming of these areas provides habitat for fish, amphibians, and dragonflies.
A beaver lodge, home to a beaver colony
The scientific name for the North American beaver is Castor canadensis, another Canadian connection to our friends. 2025 marks 50 years since beavers were recognized as a symbol of the sovereignty of Canada in the National Symbol of Canada Act (1975). Fun fact: The three-pence Beaver postage stamp, 1851, was the first postage stamp made in Canada and also the first in the world to feature an animal!
Interested in seeing these wetlands in action? One of Murphys Point’s many trails is the Beaver Pond trail. This trail branches off of the Silver Queen Mine Trail and provides an alternate route that passes a flooded wetland.
Throughout this past month there has been quite a buzz around one particular topic. If you guessed pollinators, then you’re in the right spot!
Not familiar with Pollination? That’s okay! Simply put, pollination is any transfer of pollen from one flower or plant’s male part known as the anther to the female’s part of another flower or plant known as the stigma.
Here at Murphys, we have all types of pollinators ranging from Monarch Butterflies to Dragonflies and Damselflies plus so many more! A fan favourite is of course the Bumble bee which is known to buzz pollinate allowing for an increased level of pollination to take place as pollen buzzes off the bees hair on their bodies.
Make sure to keep your eyes peeled as even Hummingbirds have frequently been seen flying around the park too!
Friends of Murphys Point Park 