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A group of animals that is often maligned as being slimy, aggressive pests, the truth could not be further away! From Garters to Rattlesnakes, our slithery reptiles play a very important role in keeping our grasslands healthy. A role that is slowly becoming at-risk as these critters disappear from their historic ranges.

Saskatchewan is home to nine species of snake, mostly found across the southern portions of the province. Of these nine, four are now listed as species at-risk of extinction, another one added just this year. “Plains Hog-nosed, Bullsnakes, Rattlesnakes, and the Yellow-bellied Racer are all now listed,” Emily Putz, Habitat Stewardship Coordinator for Nature Saskatchewan states, “Their habitat is disappearing, and they are extremely susceptible to roadkill events, whether accidental or otherwise.” Referring to the persecution snakes deal with both at their wintering sites where they gather together and on the roadways that they approach to bask on.

“I think people don’t know a lot about our snakes, and are creeped out or scared by them, thinking they are slimy and aggressive,” Putz continues, “that could not be further from the truth though.” Snakes scales are made of dry and cool keratin, the same material as our hair and fingernails, that are overlaid in one direction to help them move smoothly across the ground and into cover. A cover they will readily take when approached. “All Saskatchewan snakes are for the most part non-aggressive and shy, more likely to flee at the first sign of human movement nearby.” Even the rattlesnake, our only venomous snake, uses their venom sparingly as a last resort, usually when startled or unable to escape. They will rattle primarily to scare you off first.

Snakes are excellent pest control, with the smaller species, such as the red- bellied, smooth green, and our three gartersnake species primarily feeding on insects, worms, and small amphibians and rodents. Hog-nosed and Yellow-bellied Racers are in between, feeding on mice and voles; while our largest snakes, the Western Rattlesnake and Bullsnake, eat mainly rodents including pocket gophers and ground squirrels. In addition to controlling rodent populations, snakes are prey themselves for many tertiary predators and also play a role in dispersing nutrients and seeds in their movements. “If we lose these snakes, not only are we losing unique and interesting species, but we are also losing all the good these critters do for the environment, both pasture and farmland included.” Putz concludes.

Want to help their recovery? Helping can be as simple as moving over when you see one on the road, a basking snake is not quick enough to move out of your way; or by teaching the younger generations that snakes should be valued and not feared, even if you are scared of them yourself. You can also get involved in Nature Saskatchewan’s Stewards of Saskatchewan program, by reporting sightings of the four at-risk species to our toll-free HOOTline, 1-800-667-HOOT (4668) or email Emily Putz at outreach@naturesask.ca. If you are a landholder with these species on your land, become a steward and participate in our annual census! Every sighting helps with tracking the population and range of these cryptic reptiles. All caller and program participant information is kept confidential.

top: Bullsnake; Noah Johnson, bottom left: Eastern Yellow-bellied Racer; Ashley Vass, bottom right: Smooth Green Snake; Tara Sample