Snakes are the most widespread, diversified predators on the planet, but how do they manage to get around so easily without limbs? With their incredible structure of spine, ribs & muscles, snakes are able to move with ease, but the REAL secret to snake motion is found in their belly…
It’s been a decade since there’s been a survey of amphibians & reptiles in Nova Scotia, so researchers with the Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute are asking Nova Scotians to help them assess the status & distribution of Nova Scotia’s native cold-blooded critters with the 2021 Nova Scotia Herp Atlas on…
One of the reasons I have such a passion for helping kids make a connection with these amazing animals is because snakes suffer from something I call “Dandelion Syndrome.” To a child, dandelions are just a beautiful, yellow flower. Children often gather them & present a lovely bouquet to Mom,…
Thanks to CTV Atlantic News for giving our misunderstood native snakes an opportunity to shine. They’re mysterious and shy, but they really are some of the most wonderfully perfect creatures on Earth. They only want to live to face each new day of survival challenges… which are difficult enough without…
The Garter Snake (genus: Thamnophis) is the most common & successful snake species in North America, ranging from Northern Canada to Central America. Though common, there’s INCREDIBLE diversity in their colours, striping & pattern, which often results in them being mistaken for a dangerous species, but they’re entirely harmless to…
One of the most common misapprehensions about snakes that always surprises me a little is that people think snakes are “slimy.” Not so! Quite the opposite! Snake scales are made of keratin, the same substance your fingernails and hair are made of… a sort of “organic plastic.” If you’ve ever…
A common pet-peeve among snake enthusiasts is when folks refer to venomous snakes as “poisonous” when, in fact, only a handful of species are actually “poisonous.” I’ll explain… “Poison” is a toxin that must be INGESTED/eaten, so if you eat it and it makes you sick, then the animal is…
These are the skulls of typical colubrids, the largest family of snakes, including all of our local Nova Scotia species. Our only real “biters” are garter snakes, who tend to clamp on until you release them. Snakes have very tiny, recurved teeth that are designed to simply HOLD prey and…
Here we see our little Alice “in the blue.” Snake scales are made of keratin, the same stuff your fingernails are made of, a sort of “organic plastic.” One of the limitations having non-living skin is that it can’t grow, so it eventually becomes snug & uncomfortable. Every few months…
Happy Spring Bluenosers! As temperatures rise in the Maritimes, our cold-blooded wildlife will be waking up in the coming months and Snake Season will soon be upon us! I’d just like to remind my neighbours that ALL of our Nova Scotia snake species are completely harmless. There are NO…
