Snakes in Canada
Of the several snake species found in Canada, four are venomous, mostly preferring warmer climates. One of the deadliest snakes here, the western rattlesnake has a limited range, confined to the southern portions of British Columbia, southwestern parts of Saskatchewan, and southeastern Alberta. The timber rattlesnake ceased to exist here, was designated as endangered, and extirpated by the COSEWIC.
In the list of non-venomous snakes, the night often mistaken for the rattlesnake in appearance is the one with rear fangs. However, its venom isn’t harmful to humans, and the snake rarely occurs in Canada, dwelling in southern British Columbia.
Canada’s largest species is the gray rat snake, measuring 42-72 inches. In contrast, the smallest snake is the red-bellied, growing to not more than 15 inches.
Among the snakes not found in Canada at all, the corn snake is one of them, finding it challenging to thrive in cold weather.
| Groups | Venomous Snake | Non-venomous Snake |
|---|---|---|
| Rattlesnakes | Western Rattlesnake Timber Rattlesnake Prairie Rattlesnake Massasauga Rattlesnake Northern Pacific Rattlesnake | |
| Hognose Snakes | Eastern Hognose Snake Western Hognose Snake | |
| Garter Snakes | Butler’s Garter Snake Common Garter Snake Northwestern Garter Snake Plains Garter Snake Valley Garter Snake Western Terrestrial Garter Snake Red-sided Garter Snake Puget Sound Garter Snake Maritime Garter Snake Eastern Ribbon Snake | |
| Kingsnakes | – | Eastern Milksnake |
| Pantherophis | – | Eastern Fox Snake Black Rat Snake Gray Rat Snake |
| Regina | – | Queen Snake |
| Hypsiglena | – | Night Snake |
| Storeria | – | Red-bellied Snake DeKay’s Brownsnake Northern Brown Snake |
| Nerodia | – | Northern Water Snake Lake Erie Watersnake |
| Contia | – | Sharp-tailed Snake |
| Pituophis | – | Gopher Snake Great Basin Gopher Snake |
| Opheodrys | – | Smooth Green Snake |
| Diadophis | – | Northern Ringneck Snake |
| Coluber | – | Eastern Racer Western Yellow-bellied Racer Blue Racer |
| Charina | – | Rubber Boa |
Snakes by Colors and Patterns
Black Snakes: Black Rate Snake
Brown Snakes: DeKay’s Brownsnake, Northern Brown Snake, Red-bellied Snake, Eastern Ribbon Snake
Quick Information
Biggest Snake: Gray Ratsnake
Smallest Snake: Red-bellied Snake
Deadliest Snakes: Western Rattlesnake, Massasauga Rattlesnake
