There are 17 snake species native to Ontario, 10 of which are species at risk. Snakes are beautiful, fascinating animals that are vital to the health of the local ecosystem. Unfortunately they are often misunderstood. Learning about snakes is the best way to remove fear and ensure their survival.
Snakes hibernate underground over the cold months of the year and are typically active from April to October. Snakes are ectothermic, which means their body temperature is dependent on environmental conditions. They thermoregulate to keep their body temperature within an optimal range through behaviour like basking in the sun or seeking shelter from heat.
Snake surveys are completed by biologists in the spring and early summer (May to mid-July) as this is the time of year they are most frequently seen basking.
Visual surveys are performed by biologists in areas of suitable habitat by slowly walking while looking for basking or foraging snakes. Snakes can be hard to spot so surveyors also listen for the sound of snakes sliding through dry vegetation and keep an eye out for evidence of their presence like shed skins.
Coverboards are pieces of plywood or thin metal that are set out by biologists that have obtained permits to do so. They provide snakes with a place to absorb warmth from the sun, safe from predators. The biologists can then check these coverboards for the presence of snakes to better understand their distribution.
Major threats to snakes include habitat loss, road mortalities, and human persecution. Biologists conduct surveys of these important reptiles to understand the status of their populations, determine where habitat improvements would benefit their survival and improve the health of the ecosystem.
Some species of snake lay eggs while others give live birth. To combat the lack of suitable nesting habitat in the region, artificial nesting boxes made of straw, mulch and compost material surrounded by chicken wire provide safe places for egg-laying species of snakes to incubate their eggs out of reach from predators. Nesting sites are maintained and monitored by biologists – eggshells from hatched snakes can be another helpful indicator whether a species is present in an area.
Snakes and other ectotherms like turtles are attracted to paved areas like roads because they are warm surfaces that retain heat. Or the snakes may simply need to cross a road to access a different area of fragmented habitat. Unfortunately, this results in a lot of road mortalities for these animals. Snakes and turtles are typically active from April to October. If you are driving and spot a snake or turtle on the road (and it is safe to do so) slow down, pull over, and help them cross the road in the direction they were traveling.
Understanding Ontario’s Snakes
Of the 17 types of snake in Ontario, the Eastern Massassauga rattlesnake is the only species that is venomous. Bites are uncommon – an average of 0 to 9 bites occur in Ontario each year, with the most common cause being from people trying to handle them and the second most common cause being from people harassing or chasing these snakes. No deaths have occurred in the province in more than half a century.
The Massassauga is a species at risk, it is illegal to harass or injure them due to their protected status. They have largely been extirpated from southwestern Ontario but there are two small, endangered populations – one near Windsor/LaSalle and the other in the Wainfleet Bog near Port Colborne. Their largest remaining population is in the Bruce Peninsula and along the eastern shore of Georgian Bay. Taking simple precautions when in Massasauga territory reduces the chance of a negative interaction and instead allows for the appreciation of this beautiful and shy animal.
Unfortunately out of fear or misunderstanding, people injure or harm snakes. There are a few species in the Sydenham watershed that are at a greater risk of human persecution as they have a blotchy pattern that looks similar to a rattlesnake and some will even mimic them with a defensive display that involves vibrating their tails but these species are nonvenomous and do not pose a danger to humans.
If you are afraid of snakes and you come across one, do not panic or hurt it. It is best to:
Depending on the species, they will likely look for an opening to escape the encounter or remain still waiting for you to leave. Like any wild animal, if you get too close and they feel threatened, they may put on a defensive display or strike, warning you to move away.
Snakes are often misunderstood animals but are vital to the ecosystem and even human health. For example, some species eat rodents which helps control mice populations that can carry ticks and Lyme disease. Other snakes only eat insects or worms – they’re not so scary after all!
© 2026 · St. Clair Region Conservation Authority - The Sydenham River Watershed
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