Local Snake Species

Only 9 species of snake call our region of Eastern Ontario home.

Of the seventeen species in Ontario, only 9 are found in our area. According to Ontario Parks Interpretive Naturalist Tobi Kiesewalter (also MVFN guest speaker November 2007), key conservation issues for the snakes here include,  maintaining habitat and increasing awareness of risks snakes face from road hazards and human persecution. Although none of Eastern Ontario’s snakes pose a danger to humans, they are often misunderstood or feared because they are rarely seen or when seen they may be mistaken for another species which could pose a danger.

Surprisingly, although it is generally rare for snakes, five Eastern Ontario species do not lay eggs at all but give birth to live young. As a consequence hazards of the road are even more serious for these species if a gravid female is involved.

The nine species are listed below the photo.

Gray Ratsnake photo by Amelia Argue/Ontario Nature

Recommended on-line resource for more details and photos for these 9 species: Ontario Snakes Resource – Toronto Zoo

1. Northern Water Snake: may be mistaken for the venomous water moccasin. Gives birth to live young

2. Eastern Milk Snake: may be encountered acting aggressively while shaking its tail against dry leaves, and be incorrectly identified as a rattlesnake. COSEWIC species of special concern

3. Eastern RatSnake: a threatened species in Ontario. In winter Eastern ratsnakes (Gray/Black Ratsnake) congregate in communal burrows or hibernacula and they return to the same ones year after year. Therefore they should never be relocated more than 100-200 metres away; they will die when winter comes.  Temperature regulation is also important in the summer. Eggs laid in carefully chosen nests will require 10 weeks of 30 degrees C to develop. Therefore it is critical to not disturb rock piles, rotting stumps or standing dead trees. Sightings of rare Eastern ratsnakes can be reported to the Natural Heritage Information Centre at http://nhic.mnr.gov.on.ca. Ontario species at risk status: Threatened

4. Northern (Dekay’s) Brown Snake: gives birth to live young

5. Northern Red-bellied Snake: gives birth to live young

6. Ring-necked Snake: not endangered. Ring neck and orange-yellow belly.

7. Eastern Ribbon Snake: white half-moon markings in front of its eyes. Gives birth to live young. Ontario species at risk status: Special Concern

8. Eastern Smooth Greensnake: Elusive but beautiful. Bright green and shiny.

9. Eastern Garter Snake: gives birth to live young

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