|
October 13, 2011
With an average length of approximately one metre and a tendency to
shake its tail when threatened, an eastern foxsnake can rattle those who
stumble across it. “Despite their menacing display, they are not
dangerous,” Erin Carroll, Aquatic Systems Technician said. “They are
non-venomous and generally very docile. Furthermore, they are in need of
some help, as this species’ survival is threatened.”
The eastern foxsnake has a very restricted global distribution, with
about 70 percent of their entire range occurring in Ontario.
Nonetheless, in southwestern Ontario where the majority of these snakes
reside, they are a rare find.
“A combination of factors including diminished habitat, road mortality
and even persecution by people has made them vulnerable to extinction,”
Carroll explained. “This year alone we found eight foxsnakes dead on
local roads and highways.” These mortalities are very detrimental to
local populations, since these snakes can take three to five years to
reach sexual maturity.
In an effort to boost local populations, the Conservation Authority is
working to increase the quality and variety of habitat available for
this rare snake. Eastern foxsnakes require a variety of habitat types
that include open feeding habitat, egg-laying sites, natural corridors
and suitable hibernation sites.
This year, in addition to construction of several snake nesting boxes,
which provide a safe place for snakes lay eggs in the summer, St. Clair
Conservation built a large hibernaculum. A hibernaculum is an area of
space underground where snakes hibernate in winter months, providing a
safe shelter from the cold. As we are turning on our furnaces, snakes
will be searching for warmth as well. This project was funded by the
Ministry of Natural Resources Species at Risk Fund and by TD Friends of
the Environment Foundation.
“One of the reasons for constructing hibernacula is that there are
limited overwintering sites that meet the biological requirements of
these snakes,” Carroll said. Unfortunately, houses, wells and other
man-made structures sometimes offer the best available wintering
habitat, often putting snakes in direct conflict with humans. As reptile
monitoring volunteer Dawne Shaughnessy-Mudford put it, “we give the
snakes a place to live so they don’t scare the bejeepers out of people.”
The artificial hibernaculum is approximately 3m deep, 3m wide and 4m
long with a tapered slope of 45◦ at one side. The filler materials
(concrete, cinder blocks, and other material) were salvaged from clean
refuse piles. The materials were then strategically placed to provide
crevices at different depths and humidity levels. Large diameter
drainage tiles with access holes were coiled down the entire depth of
the hibernaculum to allow the snakes to travel not only inside and out,
but also from one level/crevice to another to reach different
temperature and humidity levels within the structure. The structure was
capped off with soil and large, flat pieces of concrete for basking. “We
will be monitoring the hibernaculum during the spring emergence in
coming years to confirm the success of the project,” Carroll said.
What you can do to help:
• Habitat is key: Eastern foxsnakes show a strong affinity to wetlands.
They also use hedgerows and small patches of vegetation for habitat.
Debris such as logs and fallen trees provide micro-habitat. Old fields,
riparian habitat along drainage ditches, small creeks and roadsides
where there are patches of relatively undisturbed grasses are beneficial
to this species. St. Clair Conservation has a number of programs that
offer funding support for landowners interested in enhancing natural
areas.
• Report your sightings. St. Clair Conservation is always interested in
learning about foxsnake sightings in the area. This information can be
used to target stewardship activities. Please contact Erin Carroll,
Aquatic Systems Technician at 519 245-3710 or by email to ecarroll@scrca.on.ca.
» More News / Media Releases
Top of Page
|
|
|
|
