Did you know that some snakes are threatened and endangered in Ontario?

(Photo source: http://www.atomica.com/article/1334099/20-photos-that-prove-snakes-are-fab-when-wearing-hats?s=5)

The first impression that comes across your mind when you see a snake lying on the highway is probably one of the following:

1. “Oh my goodness!”
2. “Ew.”
3. “Just run it over, no big deal!”
4. All of the above

However, have you ever imagined a world without snakes, if we kill them all?

In our ecosystems, snakes are one of the most important components of the mid-order predators. Without snakes, the number of prey species, including rodents, harmful bugs, and insects, would increase to unnatural extents. This would in turn lead to severe reduction in crop production because of the disappearing of the natural pest control, snakes! Also, the higher order predators (some birds, and other bigger snakes) who prey on snakes would be having difficulties hunting because of the lower food abundance.

What exactly have we done to the global snakes population?

(Photo source: http://www.quickmeme.com/meme/3ul2r8)

The global snake and reptile populations have been shown to demonstrate similar declining patterns (Reading et al. 2010; Whitfield Gibbons et al. 2000). These studies suggested snake populations need our attention because for some of them, human activities have been the cause of declines. Currently in Ontario, there are 9 snakes species listed as threatened or endangered in the Species at Risk list (Environmental Canada 2015). With timber rattlesnakes being extirpated in Ontario, it is critical and urgent that we take actions to protect snakes in Ontario. You are probably thinking “I have never killed/run over a single snake”.

But here is a list of anthropogenic activities that could potentially affect the snakes populations:

• Rural development → Habitat destruction/loss

• Road construction → habitat fragmentation

• Intentional/Unintentional Roadkill
• Negative impression of snakes
• Water pollution → Decrease food availability
• Consumption of snakes
• Climate change
• Small populations

References:

C. J. Reading, L. M. Luiselli, G. C. Akani, X. Bonnet, G. Amori, J. M. Ballouard, E. Filippi, G. Naulleau, D. Pearson and L. Rugiero. (2010). Are snake populations in widespread decline? Biology Letters doi:10.1098.

Environmental Canada. (2015). Species at risk list in Ontario.  
https://www.ontario.ca/environment-and-energy/species-risk-ontario-list

Whitfield Gibbons, J., D. E. Scott., T. J. Ryan., K. A. Buhlmann., T. D. Tuberville., B. S. Metts., J. L. Greene., T. Mills., Y. Leiden., S. Poppy., and C. T. Winne. (2000). The Global Decline of Reptiles, Déjà Vu Amphibians. Bioscience 50(8): 653-666.