Wandering Garter Snake

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2 Wandering Garter Snake General Status Sensitive Long and slender, typical of all garter snakes Body is brown, grey or greenish with checkered back Yellow or brown stripe running down its back When harassed it may bite and emit a repulsive secretion from its rear end Up to 100cm in length Live-bearing

3 Plains Garter Snake General Status Sensitive Striped snake that s greenish grey, olive or brownish Bright orange strip running down its back and yellowish stripes on the sides Active during the day Most likely to be encountered near water When harassed it rarely bites but will writhe and twist to escape and smear its attacker with a foul smelling secretion Up to 100cm in length Live-bearing

4 Western Hog-nosed Snake Body is brown with dark blotches, the pattern may be bold or faint General Status May Be At Risk Stocky body Pointy, upturned snout Mainly active during the day Inhabits sandy areas Up to 75cm in length Egg-laying

5 Bull Snake General Status Sensitive Our largest snake, with a long, stout body Body is yellowish, with black and red blotches Banded tail May be active at any time When harassed it hisses, strikes and may vibrate tail Not venomous, kills prey by constriction Up to 200cm in length Egg-laying

6 Eastern Yellow-bellied Racer General Status Sensitive Body is green above and yellow below Very fast Active during the day If grabbed, it will bite repeatedly and thrash about violently Up to 180cm in length Egg-laying

7 Prairie Rattlesnake General Status Special Concern Body is yellow, yellow-green or brown with dark blotches down back and sides Triangular-shaped head Vertical pupils Rattle at the end of the tail is the most distinguishing feature Heat-sensing facial pits below eyes May be active at any time of day A passive snake but when harassed it may coil, raise its head, shake its tail, and strike Venomous Up to 140cm in length Live-bearing

8 Importance of Snakes Vital for healthy ecosystems Important predators and prey Keep populations of rodents and insects in check reducing the need for pesticides Venoms are being studied and used to treat health conditions like cancers, heart disease, Parkinson s and Alzheimer's disease

9 Threats Roads Urbanization Agriculture Disease Intentional persecution

10 Importance of River Valleys for Hibernacula CFB Suffield CMH Alberta Saskatchewan Lethbridge

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13 Conservation & Management Monitoring hibernacula

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15 Add pic of a den without snakes

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17 Conservation & Management Monitoring hibernacula

18 Conservation & Management Monitoring hibernacula

19 Conservation & Management Monitoring hibernacula

20 Conservation & Management Monitoring hibernacula

21 Conservation & Management Monitoring hibernacula

22 Conservation & Management

23 Conservation & Management Monitoring hibernacula

24 Conservation & Management Attaching transmitters to snakes to locate new hibernacula

25 Conservation & Management Protection under Alberta Wildlife Act (designated as a non-game animal; illegal to kill, possess, or buy and sell; and destroy hibernacula) Requirements for industrial developments (i.e., setbacks) Watch for snake signs Conservation Management Plan for the rattlesnake Provincial hibernacula survey Presentations for industrial workers

26 Be Kind to Snakes Learn more about snakes, and share your positive knowledge and attitude about snakes with others Get out there and find, photograph, and appreciate snakes Provincial parks are excellent places to look for snakes Dinosaur PP Milk River Natural Area Writing on Stone PP Red Rock Coulee Natural Area Be a respectful observer Do not try to find hibernacula Avoid moving or stepping on rocks & other objects that can shift Photograph only; do not restrain, or remove snakes from their habitat

27 Be Kind to Snakes Do not kill, harm, or harass snakes; all snake species and their dens are protected by law. Check before mowing or using grass trimmer. Do not use bird netting. Give snakes a brake! Snakes cross roads, keep an eye out for them when you are driving and do not run over them. Report hibernacula sites, record exact locations and provide them to your local Fish and Wildlife office. Submit sightings and road mortalities to the local Fish and Wildlife office. Do not relocate snakes, contact qualified individuals such as Bylaw Officers, Fish and Wildlife Officers, or AEP Wildlife Biologists.

28 Questions?