Nature talk focuses on Ontario’s snake species
Lisa Timpf
Advocate Contributor
In Norfolk Nature’s first speaker event of the fall, held Sept. 8, guest presenter Don Scallen noted that “Norfolk County probably has more snakes than any other jurisdiction in the province.”
This information, delivered in a talk titled “Snakes of Ontario,” may not be universally greeted as good news. That’s because snakes often get a bad rap.
Scallen cited one occasion when he was trying to prevent a snake from getting injured on a roadway, and was chided by a passing motorist for his efforts. Basically, the person’s reaction was, “Why would you want to help a snake?”
Unfortunately for snakes, that’s not an isolated response. Scallen says that some people view snakes with “revulsion.” Is it a matter of nature, or nurture? Scientists, he notes, aren’t sure. Maybe a little of both.
Ancestral experiences with tree-dwelling snakes may instinctively colour our present-day perceptions. In addition, legendary and literary portrayals of snakes being associated with evil, or negative attitudes from family and others in our social circle, might influence our views.
That’s a shame, because snakes not only fill an important niche in the ecosystem, they are also fascinating creatures in their own right. Scallen’s talk illuminated some of the interesting features of the reptiles that reside in Norfolk County.
Eastern Gartersnakes are one of the species commonly encountered in Norfolk. Unlike many other snake species, Eastern Gartnersnakes are not at risk. Often striped, garter snakes come in a variety of colour morphs and variations, Scallen notes.
Ribbonsnakes are less common. These snakes prefer wetlands, and like to stalk vernal pools, which are temporary, small bodies of water that form and later disperse. Vernal pools are a good place to find amphibians, creatures that are included in the Ribbonsnake’s diet.
Some species are seen less frequently than others. DeKay’s Brownsnake, for example, is “largely nocturnal,” Scallen says, and spend a lot of time under objects. DeKay’s Brownsnakes have special teeth in the roof of their mouth. These teeth allow them to pull snails, one of their food sources, out of their shells.
The Smooth Greensnake, “Specially Protected” in Ontario, is described by Scallen as “very docile.” Its colouring makes it well-camouflaged in the meadows and grasslands it favours, making it difficult to spot. Greensnakes, Scallen says, “eat more insects than any other snake in Ontario.”
The Queensnake, an endangered species, is largely aquatic. “They like overhanging vegetation along rivers,” Scallen says. “If threatened, they drop into the water and swim away.”
Ring-necked snakes are grey in colour, with a yellow or orange belly and the same colouring in a ring around the neck. While many of the snakes previously mentioned give birth to live young, the Ring-Necked Snake, as well as others, lays eggs.
The Eastern Hog-nosed Snake, a threatened species, likes sandy places. In fact, it will dig into the sand with its nose. These snakes, like possums, will sometimes feign death to cope with threats, rolling over to “play dead.”
Red-bellied snakes have bright red or orange colouring on their underside. The bright colouring, Scallen says, is designed to startle would-be predators.
Eastern Milksnakes have colourful, blotched markings on a lighter background colour. Though it may vibrate its tail in response to threats, the Milksnake is not venomous. While hunting rodents, Milksnakes may venture into, or near, farm buildings. This tendency led to the mistaken belief that the snakes were after cows’ milk, leading to the name.
Like the species already mentioned, Grey Ratsnakes, Northern Watersnakes, and Eastern Foxsnakes can also be found in Norfolk.
Scallen’s talk also touched on other Ontario snakes not native to Norfolk, including the Eastern Massasauga, the only venomous snake native to Ontario that is still known to be found in the wild, and the Blue Racer, one of Ontario’s rarest snakes, which can be found on Pelee Island.
Snakes, Scallen notes, have forked tongues for a reason. Each “prong” of the tongue can detect different amounts of chemicals from prey or other snakes. The snake’s forked tongue provides it with information that lets it know which direction to travel in search of its prey.
While it may be of little comfort to those who don’t enjoy the company of snakes, Scallen notes we are more likely to encounter a large snake than a small one out in the open. That’s because larger snakes have less need to fear predators than their smaller counterparts.
Roads, he says, pose a particular peril for snakes. Attracted to roads because the surface retains heat, snakes can easily become the victims of vehicle mishaps. Ideally, Scallen says, we should be doing more to make roads safe for snakes and other reptiles, particularly in areas where roadways travel through wetland areas.
As Scallen’s talk showed, snakes are fascinating entities in their own right. It’s easy to be mesmerized by their smooth, undulating method of movement. Their wriggling progress is made possible with the aid of ground-gripping scales on their bellies, combined with muscles on each side of their body, connected to each of their vertebra.
Norfolk Nature’s next speaker event, “A Pileated Woodpecker Story,” is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. at the Simcoe Recreation Centre.
At this event, Anca Gaston will show a film in which she follows the adventures of a pair of pileated woodpeckers from the time they find a nesting tree to their young fledging.
A number of field events are also on tap in the coming weeks. Further information about Norfolk Nature’s activities can be found at norfolknature.org.
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