July 16 is World Snake Day!
Love them or not, snakes are here to stay. World Snake Day is on July 16 and now is the perfect opportunity to shed light on the often misunderstood and underappreciated reptiles that call the Credit River Watershed home.
Meet the Cast
The Credit River Watershed is home to eight native snake species that play crucial roles in maintaining ecological balance. These species are non-venomous and harmless to humans. The next time you’re exploring nature in one of our parks, keep an eye out for the following species.
Eastern Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis)
Garter snakes are adaptable and often found in gardens and near water. Females typically give birth to 15 to 40 live young, which are left to hunt on their own immediately after being born.
Northern Red-bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata)
Northern red-bellied snakes typically live in moist woodlands and are rarely found in areas with little forest cover. They prefer to eat soft-bodied invertebrates like slugs, worms and snails. Female northern redbelly snakes incubate fertilized eggs internally and give birth to four to 10 young in late summer.
DeKay’s Brownsnake (Storeria dekayi)
DeKay’s brownsnake, also known as the northern brownsnake, is a small, brown snake with two parallel rows of small dark spots bordering a faint stripe down the back. They are often found in urban and suburban areas, hiding under debris or leaf litter.
Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus)
As its name suggests, the ring-necked snake is identified by its dark body and distinctive yellow or orange neck ring around its neck. This elusive snake prefers forested habitats, often found under rocks, logs or leaf litter.
Eastern Milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum)
The eastern milksnake is often mistaken for the venomous eastern massassauga rattlesnake because of its similar markings. To make things more confusing, milksnakes will sometimes mimic rattlesnakes by shaking their tails in dry leaves, creating a buzzing sound. But there’s no need to worry – milksnakes are completely harmless. They’re non-venomous constrictors that help control rodent populations.
Northern Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon)
Commonly found near bodies of water, the northern water snake is an excellent swimmer and feeds on fish and amphibians. These snakes have been known to eat a number of fish species, including brook trout, sunfish, smallmouth bass, minnows, bullhead catfish and hogsuckers.
Smooth Greensnake (Opheodrys vernalis)
The bright green colour of a green snake is created from a combination of both yellow and blue pigments. Shortly after death, the yellow pigment breaks down more quickly, leaving the dead snake a bright blue colour. Female green snakes lay five to 11 cylindrical eggs in late summer in rotting logs, underground burrows or under boards or rocks.
Northern Ribbonsnake (Thamnophis saurita)
The northern ribbonsnake is semi-aquatic, spending much of their time in wetlands and along shorelines, where they primarily eat frogs. Northern ribbonsnakes are a species at risk in Ontario. Often mistaken for a garter snake, this species has a sleeker, more slender body, longer tail and has a distinct white crescent-shaped scale in front of the eye.
How You Can Help Protect Snakes
Snakes are integral to the health of the watershed’s ecosystems, serving as both predators and prey and helping control pest populations. But they face threats from habitat loss, pollution and human misconceptions. Here’s how you can help support snakes:
- Control pets: Keep dogs on leashes when walking in natural areas, to prevent them from harming snakes.
- Respect wildlife laws: In Ontario it’s illegal to keep native reptiles and amphibians as pets or to release non-native species into the wild.
- Preserve natural habitats: Support and participate in local conservation efforts aimed at protecting and restoring natural habitats within the watershed. Join us at an upcoming event.
- Educate your friends and family: Help dispel myths and spread awareness about the important roles snakes play in our ecosystem.
By taking these actions, you can contribute to the preservation of the Credit River Watershed’s biodiversity and ensure that snakes continue to thrive in their natural habitats. Learn more about wildlife in our watershed.
Have you taken any photos of snakes in the watershed? Share them with us on Facebook, Instagram and X.
By Kimberley Laird, Associate, Marketing and Communications