How to identify Snakes

snake on a white background

The fact that snakes have no arms or legs gives them a unique appearance. While colouration and markings vary from species to species, all snakes share features such as scaly bodies, lidless eyes, and the ability to dislocate their jaws in order to swallow large prey.

They navigate their environments by constantly flicking out their tongues to taste the air, and some species can even sense the infrared heat of their prey with special sensory organs in their heads.

Types of Venomous Snakes in Canada

Of the 26 native species of snakes in the country, only four are venomous. These snakes are not poisonous, as they inject venom into their prey and don’t “poison” them.

Most types of venomous snakes prefer warmer climates, making Canada unfriendly to all but the hardiest species. These varieties include:

  • The northern pacific rattlesnake – also known as the western rattlesnake, in British Columbia.
  • The massasauga in the Georgian Bay area of Ontario.
  • The prairie rattlesnake in southern Saskatchewan and Alberta
  • The desert nightsnake, a rare species found only in the southern Okanagan valley of British Columbia. Though considered venomous, it is only potent enough to kill small prey.

The threat they pose to humans varies by species. One of Canada’s most venomous snakes, the massasauga, can deliver fatal bites.

Safe or Dangerous?

There are several harmless types of snakes in Canada that mimic dangerous ones. For example, the gopher snake will vibrate its tail in dried leaves and grasses to disguise itself as a rattlesnake.

Venomous snake bites can be fatal. Homeowners concerned about any type of venomous snake on their property should contact the experts at Orkin Canada for safe removal.

To learn more about snakes, check out our Snakes Pest Library page.

Snakes Removal

The best solution to snake problems is to contact a wildlife control agency. The wildlife and pest removal experts at Orkin Canada are trained to identify species of troublesome snakes and then eradicate them. Our removal technicians also help safeguard homes from additional snakes and address the underlying causes bringing them there in the first place.