snakes on a trail

So, two days ago, I was hiking on the Cedar Grove Loop, as I do every day. Well, when I got to the spillway bridge, I saw something in the grass. As I got closer, it was a snakeskin, two pieces. There are at least four snakes living on and around the bridge.

I had nothing to put them in so I left them hoping they would be there the next day.

The next day, the boy and I hiked the loop. We could see that the skins were where I left them and we had brought a bag. As we got closer, we accidentally freaked out a snake in the grass. It was a gray rat snake. They are few and far between in these parts, as their assumed northern limit is around Perth, Ontario, but there have been sightings in the vicinity in the last twenty years.

It may have been a northern water snake as it did go in to the pond and went under water. Like I said, he took off and fast. Hopefully he will be more chilled out next time we cross paths.

They used to be quite abundant in these parts and there is still a road, Snake Island Road that attests to that, as well as this story. Anyway, this guy was about a metre long and quick. He beelined right for the pond and vanished. Too fast to get a picture. I have seen him vanish quickly around the bridge too.

We collected the snakeskin pieces. Upon inspection today, it is actually two whole skins, minus the skin from around the heads. Very cool. We finished our hike and catalogued the skins at home.

the first two snakeskins

Today we went again through the loop. There was another skin there. This one was on the grating of the walkway of the bridge. it appears the snake used the grating to assist in shedding. This one was complete. Whole length of body and complete head. You can see its face and jaw. Super, very cool. We did not have a bag for it this time so we took turns carrying it on the hike as we did not want to risk losing the opportunity to score such a find. It made it home and joined the other two.

the third, complete snakeskin

close-up of the head, the two circles are the eyes

It is not too common to find a single near complete skin. It is even less common to get the head, complete, as well. The boy is very happy. He is a reptile guy. He has been going to camps at Ray's Reptile Zoo for at least eight years and has been a volunteer there for about three years.

This is a big boon for the boy. They are from regular eastern garter snakes and not the rat snake, but he loves them. Plus, we get to see them on the trail sunning themselves. Hopefully, we will be able to get a picture of the rat snake this summer. blbbl

a garter snake hanging out at the side of the trail