15 fun facts about Canadian snakes

Massasauga rattlesnake (Photo by Aaron Goodwin)

Massasauga rattlesnake (Photo by Aaron Goodwin)

July 16, 2020 | by Carys Richards

Whether you're a snake savant or a citizen scientist, it's the time of year that our slithery friends are out and about. Here are some interesting tidbits about our native snake species to share with your friends:

   

   

  • In Canada, the blue racer is only found on Pelee Island (Photo by Ron Gould/OMNR)
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    Blue racer, Pelee Island, Ontario (Photo by Ron Gould/OMNR)
  • In Canada, Butler's gartersnake is found only in Ontario; it is easily confused with the common gartersnake and northern ribbonsnake (Photo by Dan Mullen)
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    Butler's gartersnake (Photo by Dan Mullen)
  • The common gartersnake is the most widely distributed reptile in Canada (Photo by NCC)
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    Common gartersnake, Manitoulin Island, Ontario (Photo by NCC)
  • Eastern foxsnakes can both swim and climb trees (Photo by Ryan M. Bolton)
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    Eastern foxsnake, Ontario (Photo by Ryan M. Bolton)
  • Eastern ribbonsnake (Photo by mncrowley, CC BY-NC 4.0)
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    Eastern ribbonsnake (Photo by mncrowley, CC BY-NC 4.0)
  • The gray ratsnake is Canada's largest snake and spends a lot of time high up in trees (Photo by Ryan M. Bolton)
    Click on the image to enlarge.
    Gray ratsnake, Ontario (Photo by Ryan M. Bolton)
  • The harmless eastern hog-nosed snake will mimic cobras and rattlesnakes to ward off threats (Photo by Ben Lowe)
    Click on the image to enlarge.
    Eastern hog-nosed snake (Photo by Ben Lowe)
  • Distinguishable by its rattle, the eastern massasauga is Ontario's only venemous snake but is generally not aggressive (Photo by Ryan M. Bolton)
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    Eastern massassauga, Ontario (Photo by Ryan M. Bolton)
  • The milksnake is a constrictor though it likes to vibrate its tail like a rattlesnake when threatened (Photo by Ryan M. Bolton)
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    Milksnake, Ontario (Photo by Ryan M. Bolton)
  • Northern rubber boa (Photo by Douglas J. Graham, CC BY-NC 4.0)
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    Northern rubber boa (Photo by Douglas J. Graham, CC BY-NC 4.0)
  • The red-bellied snake is primarily nocturnal, living along forest edges (Photo by Ryan M. Bolton)
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    Red-bellied snake, Ontario (Photo by Ryan M. Bolton)
  • Bullsnake (Photo by arcticparrot, CC BY-NC 4.0)
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    Bullsnake (Photo by arcticparrot, CC BY-NC 4.0)

 

  1. In Canada, the blue racer snake is currently only found on Pelee Island.

  2. The eastern hog-nosed snake plays dead when threatened by writhing around, rolling over and sticking out its tongue.

  3. Red-back salamanders are the northern ring-necked snake’s favourite meal.

  4. Though it vibrates its tail when threatened, eastern milksnake is actually a constrictor.

  5. The smooth greensnake is excellent at camouflaging itself among shrubs and grasses.

  6. Eastern foxsnakes can both climb trees and swim.

  7. The common gartersnake is the most widely distributed reptile in Canada.

  8. The harmless eastern hog-nosed snake mimics cobras and rattlesnakes to ward off threats.

  9. Gray ratsnake is Canada’s largest species of snake.

  10. The queen snake is aquatic and non-venomous, and at maturity can reach lengths of 60-90 centimetres.

  11. Massasauga rattlesnake, Ontario’s only venomous snake, is shy and docile, and avoids human contact whenever possible.

  12. The eastern foxsnake is globally rare, existing only around the Great Lakes basin in southern Ontario, Michigan and Ohio.
  13. The Atlantic population of eastern ribbonsnake in Nova Scotia is separated by more than 700 kilometres from other populations.

  14. Bullsnake uses communal dens and nesting sites.

  15. BC’s northern rubber boa is one of only two species of the boa family living outside the tropics and subtropics.
Carys Richards (Photo courtesy of Carys Richards)

About the Author

Carys Richards is the communications manager for NCC’s Alberta Region.

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