natural areas inventory - Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority

Northern Ring­necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus edwardsii)Global Rank: Very common;demonstrably secure underpresent conditions.Provincial Rank:Apparently Secure—Uncommon but not rare.Niagara NAI: Localized (0 sites of 2historic confirmed duringstudy)Map # 25H. SkrzypkowskiThis is a small snake, dark grey or black with an orange, yellow under belly and a characteristic collar atthe base of its head (Behler, and. King. 1998). It inhabits moist woods usually hiding under logs andforest debris (Fisher et. al. 2007). It was not seen in the study area during this study period but was foundnearby in Haldimand region.Eastern Gartersnake (Thamnophis s. sirtalis)Global Rank: Very common; demonstrablysecure under present conditions.Provincial Rank:Secure—Common, widespread,and abundant in the province.Niagara NAI:Map # 26Widespread (>30 sitesconfirmed in 11 of 12townships + Haldimand andHamilton)R.TervoThis is the most common and widely distributed snake species in Niagara. It is typically long and slenderwith lateral stripes or spots but may also have no stripes or completly black “melanistic” (Fisher et. al.2007). One such individual was seen prior to the study along the sand dunes of Lake Erie. As in thephotograph above the colour red is sometimes present. They are known to hibernate communally and thepresence of large numbers of them in close proximity in early spring is an indication that you are nearbytheir wintering site. They are found in wetlands, hedgerows, moist forests, ravines, suburban areas andagricultural fields. They are often killed on roads as they are moving back and forth among habitatfeatures.Natural Heritage Areas Inventory, 2010 12-24