Reptiles

Name: Eastern Fox Snake Scientific Name: Elaphe vulpina gloydi Status: Threatened Provincially and Nationally Details & Range Map: R.O.M.

Ontario's reptiles include snakes, turtles and one species of lizard. The lack of diversity of reptiles in Ontario is partially due to our relatively short summers, which means that there is less time for reptile eggs to develop. There are more than 8,000 reptile species in the world - 48 species are found in Canada.

Ontario is home to 27 species of reptiles. Approximately two-thirds of these species are of provincial conservation concern. Lake Erie Watersnake and Blue Racer are provincially Endangered (regulated under Ontario's Endangered Species Act) and the Spotted Turtle is Endangered. Nine species, including Massasauga Rattlesnake and Eastern Foxsnake are Threatened and another four species are of Special Concern, such as Five-linked Skink and Eastern Ribbonsnake.

According to the General Status of Species in Canada (2010), there are seven species ranked provincially as secure with another five ranked as sensitive (Snapping Turtle, Map Turtle, Milksnake, Eastern Ribbonsnake and Five-lined Skink) (species that are not believed to be at risk of immediate extirpation or extinction but may require special attention or protection to prevent them from becoming at risk). Thirteen species are provincially at risk (e.g., Spiny Softshell, Eastern Foxsnake and Massassauga Rattlesnake). There is one exotic species of turtle in Ontario, the Pond Slider. In the General Status of Species in Canada (2010), ‘exotic’ refers to species that have been moved beyond their natural range as a result of human activity. Provincially, the term invasive (or invading) species is used to describe introduced species whose introduction or spread threatens the environment, the economy or society, including human health.

Number differences in categories may occur in reports due to the level of reporting, i.e. some rankings are made at a species level, whereas others may list subspecies in categories such as species of conservation concern.

 
Threats to reptiles include deliberate killing out of fear (particularly snakes), death on the road, pesticides and contaminants, the pet trade, and loss and fragmentation of habitat.

For more information on reptiles, including distribution maps, see the Ontario Herpetofaunal Summary Atlas or, see the list of species on the Natural Heritage Information Centre website.

For more information on Species at Risk designations and their current status, see the Species at Risk in Ontario (SARO) List and the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) website.

Photography
Michael J. Oldham