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Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake – Sistrurus catenatus
Like all venomous snakes, the Massasauga carries an undeserved bad reputation. Appearance: The back has a grey background with a row of large darker blotches down the center and smaller blotches along each side. A large dark horizontal bar extends backward from the eye. The belly is black, often with lighter markings. The tail ends in a distinctive rattle. The scales on the back and sides are keeled. The Massasauga is the only Ontario snake species in which the pupil of the eye is vertical, similar to that of a cat. Habitat and Behaviour: This member of the rattlesnake group is Ontario's ...
Wood Turtle – Clemmys insculpta
Wood Turtles differ from most Ontario turtle species in that they spend much of their time out of water and feed mostly on vegetation. Appearance: The shell of the Wood Turtle has a sculpted appearance, unlike the smooth shell of most Ontario turtles. The scutes have prominent growth rings, giving them a somewhat pyramidal shape. The carapace, head, and limbs are brown, and the skin has a red or orange wash, especially on the neck and upper limbs. The plastron is yellow with black patches. The only native turtle species with a sculpted carapace is the Snapping Turtle, which is much ...
Snapping Turtle – Chelydra serpentina
The Snapping Turtle is one of our most common turtle species, although because it seldom leaves water it is not often encountered. Appearance: The Snapping Turtle is Ontario's largest turtle species. The carapace has two longitudinal ridges, and the rear edge is serrated. The plastron is reduced to a small cross shaped structure, so that the turtle appears to be too big for its shell. The tail is long and has a series of bony plates that give it a saw toothed appearance in profile. The neck is long and the head is large, with powerful jaw muscles. The colour ...
Spring Peeper – Pseudacris crucifer
One of our best know harbingers of spring, the call of the Spring Peeper signals the arrival of warm weather. Appearance: Dorsal colour ranges from light to dark brown, sometimes with a reddish or grey wash. A darker, roughly X shaped mark is always present on the back. Yellow may be present at the base of the hindlegs, visible only when the leg is extended. The underside is whitish with occasional dark flecks. The skin is smooth and the toes have small discs at their extremities. Tadpoles are up to 1.25 inches in total length. Dorsal colour is greenish with gold ...
Eastern Newt – Notophthalmus viridescens
This species is most familiar because of the brightly coloured juvenile newts, or efts, which are often encountered in woodland habitat. The life cycle of newts differs from that of other Ontario salamanders in that the adults return to water after a terrestrial juvenile stage. Appearance: Adult Eastern Newts are green or yellowish-green with small black spots and two rows of larger red spots along the back. Newts from west of Lake Superior have darker backs and few spots. A fin is present on the tail; in males the fin is quite prominent but it is less obvious in females. Efts ...
Posted on April 22, 2012 | Featured | 0
Like all venomous snakes, the Massasauga carries an undeserved bad reputation. Appearance: The back has a grey background with a row of large darker blotches down the center and smaller blotches along each side. A large dark horizontal bar extends … Continue reading
Posted on April 22, 2012 | Ontario | 0
This large, active species is one of Ontario’s rarest and most interesting snakes. Appearance: The Blue Racer is one of two large snake species in Ontario that does not have a blotched adult colour pattern. Adults are blue, sometimes with … Continue reading
Posted on April 22, 2012 | Ontario | 0
Although its rarely seen, Ontario’s largest snake presents a striking sight when fully grown. Appearance: This species can attain a larger maximum size than any other snake species in Ontario. In adults the back is a striking glossy black. The … Continue reading
Posted on April 22, 2012 | Ontario | 0
The Easter Fox Snake’s appetite for rodents and preference for water often brings it into contact with humans, and it may even be found sharing human habitation. Appearance: The Eastern Fox Snake is a fairly large species with a blotched … Continue reading
Posted on April 22, 2012 | Ontario | 0
Eastern Milk Snakes can often be found near human habitation. In some cases their slight resemblance to rattlesnakes provokes an antagonistic human response. Appearance: The background colour is grey, or brownish-grey, with reddish blotches outlined in black. There is a … Continue reading
Posted on April 22, 2012 | Ontario | 0
The Eastern Hog Nosed Snake’s defensive tactics are an interesting example of reptile behaviour. Appearance: The distinguishing feature of the Eastern Hog Nosed Snake is the upturned tip of its snout, which gives the snake its name. The colour pattern … Continue reading
Posted on April 22, 2012 | Ontario | 0
The Ring Necked Snake is a secretive woodland species, although it may be abundant in suitable habitat. Appearance: This small snake species has a plain bluish or grey back with a distinct yellow band on the neck. This neck ring … Continue reading
Posted on April 22, 2012 | Ontario | 0
The distinctive colour of Smooth Green Snakes makes them easy to identify, but also affords them ideal camouflage in their grassy habitat. Appearance: This species is readily identified by its distinctive green colour. The belly and upper lip are white … Continue reading
Posted on April 22, 2012 | Ontario | 0
The distinctive red belly makes this species easy to identify, although its behaviour is secretive, and its brown back provides concealment in the snakes forest floor habitat. Appearance: This species can be easily distinguished by its red belly colour, which … Continue reading
Posted on April 22, 2012 | Ontario | 0
Although Dekays Brown Snake’s may be common and abundant, even in disturbed areas, they are not often encountered because of their small size and retiring habits. Appearance: The back has a medium brown background, with two rows of dark spots. … Continue reading
