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How many venomous snakes are there in Canada, and what should I do if I run into one?

cwf-fcf.org > English > About CWF > FAQ > FAQs
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You don’t have to travel to Australia or India to bump into venomous snakes. We have four species right here in Canada! Check out our venomous reptiles below:

  1. Northern Pacific rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus)
  2. Found in interior British Columbia, this snake can measure more than 1.6 metres in length. They prefer short-grass prairie and dry, open scrubland. When disturbed, Northern Pacific rattlesnakes defend themselves by coiling, vibrating their rattle and striking. While their bites are seldom fatal, you should always be cautious when around these snakes.

  3. Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus)
  4. Primarily limited to the Georgian Bay area of Ontario, Massasaugas seldom grow longer than 75 centimetres. They are commonly found near water. They are not an aggressive snake by nature and will often remain motionless if someone walks by. However, they will coil and can strike if they feel threatened.

  5. Desert Nightsnake (Hypsiglena chlorophaea)
  6. Limited to a small portion of southern British Columbia, this snake typically measures between 25.5 centimetres and 53 centimetres in length. They like hot, dry areas and, as their name suggests, they are active mainly at night and are therefore seldom seen. Their saliva is slightly toxic, so take care if you happen upon one.

  7. Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis)
  8. Found in southern Saskatchewan and Alberta, this snake can reach a maximum length of more than 1.6 metres. They also prefer short-grass prairie and dry, open scrubland. If disturbed, they will defend themselves by coiling, vibrating their rattle and striking. While their strikes are seldom fatal, they are venomous and you should be careful when you’re in their habitat

Green Snake

Often called grass snakes, smooth green snakes, as their name implies, are an emerald green colour with a white or yellow underside. This small- to medium-sized snake has smooth scales and ranges in size from 30...

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