These Are the 10 Biggest Snakes in Canada Today

Key Points

• Most snakes in Canada aren’t huge and just reside in the southern parts.
• Garter snakes live as far north as the 60th parallel.
• The greatest snake in Canada is nonvenomous!

Canada’s northern place makes the snake population smaller sized than its southern next-door neighbor, the United States. However, a smaller sized population doesn’t indicate absolutely no. Plus, it’s home to the biggest snake dens worldwide — the Narcisse Dens.

There are at least 25 snake types in Canada, plus 2 that researchers think are extirpated from the nation. While the majority of these are little, nonvenomous, and just in the far southern locations, there are a couple of exceptions.

Let’s have a look at the 10 greatest snakes residing in Canada today.

#10 Terrestrial Garter Snake (Thamnophis elegans)

The tiniest snake on our list, the terrestrial garter snake, just grows to 41 inches. However, that’s larger than the majority of the other native snakes, so it’s number 10 on our list.

Terrestrial garter snakes can be semiaquatic like other garter snakes, however they’re more versatile in their environment and dietary requirements. These snakes consume what they can capture, whether it’s earthworms, little fish, amphibians, or other pests. They’re one of the couple of garter snakes that have actually been recorded as restricting their victim — despite the fact that they’re not excellent at it.

This types has moderate venom that’s just adequate to help debilitate victim, however if they bite an individual, it can trigger regional swelling and inflammation. Otherwise, they’re safe eaters of little things.

#9 Red-Sided Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis)

While not significant for remarkable size, red-sided garter snakes are significant for passing the cold Canadian winter seasons in huge dens with countless other red-sided garter snakes. The garter snake dens in Narcisse, Canada are the websites of the biggest snake breeding routine worldwide.

Red-sided garter snakes, although not as huge as lots of snakes in Canada, still can be found in at number 9 — this safe garter snake subspecies matures to 49 inches long.

#8 Great Basin Gopher Snake (Pituophis catenifer deserticola)

Although not as huge as the other gopher snake subspecies on our list, the Great Basin gopher snake is still among the greatest snakes in Canada.

This safe snake matures to 54 inches long and consumes a lots of rodents each year. They’re thought about farmers’ assistants and help avoid crop damage due to rats, mice, and other rodents. Great Basin gopher snakes are just present in southern British Columbia, where they simulate rattlesnakes when cornered. However, these docile snakes can’t hurt you, and when they strike, it’s typically with a closed mouth.

#7 Northern Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon sipedon)

Growing to about 59 inches, northern watersnakes are heavy-bodied with keeled scales. They’re semiaquatic and spend a great deal of their time in and around the water — either basking or hunting for little fish, tadpoles, and amphibians.

They’re just present in far southern Ontario and Quebec, where they attempt to prevent individuals. These safe snakes are nonvenomous however have razor-sharp teeth to capture their slippery victim. However, don’t attempt to select them up! Although they’re nonvenomous, they will bite at the tiniest justification and excrete awful-smelling musk.

#6 Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis)

Rattlesnakes frighten the daytimes out of lots of people, however for others, they’re a sign of a healthy community. Prairie rattlesnakes are large-bodied poisonous pit vipers that populate lots of locations throughout North America. In Canada, they just take place in southeastern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan.

Prairie rattlesnakes consume a range of rodents, lizards, and other little victim. They’re not aggressive however coil up and rattle to ward off risks; their last option is a bite from their long, hinged fangs. These rattlers can reach about 59 inches long however are frequently much shorter.

#5 North American Racers (Coluber constrictor ssp.)

North American racers’ subspecies are generally called for their color — blue racers, yellow-bellied racers, and so on. In Canada, there are separated pockets of 3 various racer subspecies along the Canada-U.S. border in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Ontario.

These snakes are long and thin, and all grow to about 60 inches long. Racers are fast-moving, nonvenomous colubrids that consume practically anything they can subdue, consisting of little mammals, birds, lizards, and other snakes.

#4 Western Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus)

One of 3 rattlesnakes presently residing in Canada, western rattlesnakes are the greatest. This heavy-bodied poisonous snake’s variety extends into severe southern British Columbia, where they eat little rats, mice, voles, and other little victim.

Western rattlesnakes, likewise called Northern Pacific rattlesnakes, are shy and prevent individuals whenever possible. These snakes can reach 64 inches long, and their camouflage is outstanding for such a huge snake. Like other rattlesnakes, this types has actually hinged fangs connected to huge venom glands — a rattlesnake bite is a medical emergency situation. Fortunately, they’d rather leave than battle.

#3 Eastern Foxsnake (Pantherophis vulpinus)

This ratsnake cousin often reaches 6 feet long, however those at the northern end of their variety in Canada remain smaller sized and just get up to about 66 inches long. However, that still positions them in the leading 3 greatest snakes in Canada!

They’re more terrestrial than their ratsnake cousins, however eastern foxsnakes are outstanding climbers. These safe snakes are rodent control for farmers and house owners alike, consuming a a great deal of them every year in southern Ontario, Canada.

#2 Gray Ratsnake (Pantherophis spiloides)

Of all the snakes in Canada, the gray ratsnake is among the greatest. In reality, there are just a couple of inches in between this snake’s optimum length which of the bullsnake. However, a choice should be made, and those couple of inches plopped the gray ratsnake in the second area.

Gray ratsnakes consume rodents, birds, eggs, and other little animals, making them great rodent control. Like their other ratsnake cousins, these snakes have a fondness for difficulty. Their astonishing climbing up capabilities take them into garages and attics, in addition to the trees and shrubs they generally regular.

As the second-biggest snake in Canada, gray ratsnakes grow to a little over 6 feet long, or 74 inches. Although huge, they’re safe and practical!

#1 Bullsnake (Pituophis catenifer sayii)

Bullsnakes are the favorites of lots of snake enthusiasts. They’re completely safe however installed one o nature’s finest rattlesnake impressions — till you select them up when they end up being docile and quickly managed.

This snake is a gopher snake subspecies, among a number of in North America. Bullsnakes in more southern environments often surpass 8 feet long. However, in Canada, they are typically closer to 6 feet long and often struck 6 and a half feet long, making bullsnakes Canada’s greatest snake.

Top Ten Biggest Snakes in Canada