Walk Softly - An Introduction to Our Local Snakes

by Geoffrey Carpentier

On September 5th I wrote generally about snakes and how they developed over time to become a major component of our natural biological systems. In Ontario, we have 15 species of snakes with about half of these living in North Durham and the Kawarthas.

Our most frequently encountered species is the Common Gartersnake. This is a strikingly striped, black and yellow snake which can have significant colour variations from the typical tones mentioned above to a red-sided subspecies and even a melanistic form which is almost entirely black. They overwinter in underground dens (called hibernacula) or in the foundation of old buildings, often in large numbers with other snakes. In the spring and sometimes fall, a breeding frenzy involving many individuals erupts, and mating occurs. Fifteen to 20 live young are born in late summer and then mature in 2-3 years. Food consists of frogs, toads, small rodents, worms, large insects and even small fish.

Dekay’s Brownsnake is found mostly in south Durham, but is less often noticed as it is a smallish snake which is not well marked. It may be identified by the two parallel rows of spots along the sides of the back and pale centre line. Like the gartersnake, they occupy many diverse habitats often near human habitations. Breeding occurs in the spring, and in late summer, 5-30 young are born. Primarily nocturnal hunters, food consists of worms, slugs, larger insects and occasionally small fish and amphibians. They flatten themselves on the ground and sometimes emit an unpleasant musty odour when threatened.

The Red-bellied Snake is our second most common snake and is similar to the Dekay’s but has stripes on the back, not spots, and it has a bright red belly, when seen from below. As in the gartersnake, they may breed in the spring and fall and give birth in late summer to 5-10 live young, which are sexually mature at two years of age. They hunt nocturnally pursuing slugs, worms, insects and grubs.

The Smooth Greensnake, a small, lovely emerald green snake, is rarely seen in our area. Again it hibernates below ground, often with other snakes. Its preferred habitats include more densely vegetated sites where its green colouration blends in better. Able to climb small bushes, they pursue prey on the ground or in arboreal settings as they take insects, spiders and other invertebrates. About 10 eggs are laid in late spring, and the young emerge in late summer and eventually mature at two years of age.

The Northern Watersnake is a large dark, poorly marked snake that spends much of its time in the water hunting prey such as fish and amphibians. Excellent divers and swimmers, they may be found well offshore in some circumstances. Winter is spent underground or in beaver lodges. Many live young (5-35) are born late summer or early autumn, and being a big snake, they take longer to mature (3-4 years). Now found mostly near Lake Simcoe; historically, they occurred in Lake Scugog but haven’t been seen here for 50 years!

The Easter Milksnake is another large snake that occurs sporadically in our area. It is strikingly coloured with reddish blotches outlined in black over a brown base. It winters underground, in old building foundations or rock crevices, emerging in the spring to breed. It hunts mostly small mammals by catching the prey, holding it like a constrictor and suffocating it.

Finally, the last snake we might encounter (but only in the Kawarthas, not Durham) is the Hog-nosed Snake. Highly variable in colour, all individuals have a turned-up nose, hence the name. Preferring sandy habitats, eggs are laid in late summer in burrows or under rocks, where after two months the young emerge. Winter is spent underground in old burrows below the frost line. Mild venom is used to subdue prey before they are swallowed whole. Quite the actor, it may hiss and strike at predators, lunge towards them, play dead, barf up its dinner or emit a smelly odour to frighten them off!

Whether you like them or not, snakes are a foundational part of our ecosystems.

Geoff Carpentier is a published author, expedition guide and environmental consultant. Visit Geoff on-line on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.