8 Types of SNAKES That Live in Quebec! (ID Guide)

There are A LOT of snakes in Quebec!

And what’s interesting is that they are all incredibly unique and have adapted to fill many habitats and niches.

You’ll see that the snakes that live in Quebec are very different from each other.

For example, some species prefer living in or near water, while others spend most of their time climbing trees. Or the fact that certain snakes are rarely seen because they spend most of their time underground, but others are comfortable living EXTREMELY close to humans.

Today, you’re going to learn about the 8 types of snakes in Quebec!

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#1. Northern Watersnake

• Nerodia sipedon sipedon

Identifying Characteristics:

• Adults range from 60 to 140 centimeters in length.
• Coloration is pale grey to dark brown with reddish-brown to black bands.
• Large adults become darker with age and appear almost plain black or dark brown.
• Females tend to be larger than males, and coloration is most vivid in juvenile and wet individuals.

This species is found in southern Quebec!

Northern Watersnakes prefer slow-moving or standing water like ponds, lakes, vernal pools, marshes, and slow-moving rivers and streams. They’re most often seen basking on rocks or logs in or near the water.

Northern Watersnake Range Map (Yellow area below)

Credit: Virginia Herpetological Society

These snakes primarily feed on fish and amphibians by hunting along the water’s edge and shallow water during the day. They grab their prey and quickly swallow while it’s still alive!

When disturbed, Northern Watersnakes flee into the water to escape. However, if grabbed or captured, they’re quick to defend themselves. They will release a foul-smelling musk from glands near the base of their tale, flatten their body, and strike the attacker. Their saliva contains a mild anticoagulant that can cause bites to bleed, making the injury appear worse.

While non-venomous, they can deliver a painful bite!

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#2. Eastern Garter Snake

• Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis

Identifying Characteristics:

• Adults typically range from 45 to 66 centimeters in length.
• Coloration varies and can be mixtures of green, brown, or black. Look for a distinct yellow or whitish stripe down the center of their back.
• Some individuals may exhibit a checkered body pattern.
• Subspecies of the Common Garter Snake.

Eastern Garter Snakes are common in western Quebec!

In fact, they are typically the snake species that people come across the most. They’re well-adapted to living around people and can often be found in city parks, farmland, cemeteries, and suburban lawns and gardens. Though not required, they prefer grassy environments near freshwater sources such as ponds, lakes, ditches, and streams.

Look for these snakes in western Quebec basking in the sun in grassy areas near cover.

Eastern Garter Snakes protect themselves when they are cornered or feel threatened. For example, if you capture or continually disturb one, it will defecate and release a foul-smelling musk from its glands. It’s also common for them to bite as a last resort!

The Eastern Garter Snake most commonly preys on toads, frogs, slugs, salamanders, fish, and worms. However, they are very opportunistic and will eat other insects and small animals they can overpower. They’re active during both the day and night, depending on the temperature.

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#3. Eastern Milksnake

• Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum

Identifying Characteristics:

• Adults typically range from 60 to 90 centimeters in length.
• Coloration is tan or gray with 3 to 5 rows of reddish-brown, black-edged blotches.
• Look for a gray or tan Y- or V-shaped mark near the rear of the head.

Eastern Milksnakes get their unique name from an old myth that they milked cows since they’re commonly found in barns! Obviously, this isn’t true. Instead, their presence inside barns is likely due to the high number of mice, some of their favorite prey.

Eastern Milksnake Range Map

A member of the kingsnake family, Eastern Milksnakes occupy a wide variety of habitats in southern Quebec, including fields, woodlands, agricultural areas, and rocky outcrops. These beautiful snakes are somewhat secretive and spend much of their time beneath the ground. You may be able to find one underneath rocks, logs, boards, and other debris.

The Eastern Milksnake prefers to feed on small mammals such as mice and shrews. However, they’ll also consume various types of prey, including birds and bird eggs, lizards, snakes, amphibians, fish, earthworms, slugs, insects, and carrion.

Like other individuals in the kingsnake family, they will prey on venomous pit vipers. So how do they combat the venom? Interestingly, their blood contains venom-neutralizing properties!

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#4. Smooth Greensnake

• Opheodrys vernalis

Identifying Characteristics:

• Adults are SLENDER and typically range from 35 to 50 centimeters in length.
• Coloration is uniformly light green with a yellow or white underside and a red tongue with a black tip.
• Juveniles may be olive-green, blue-gray, or even brown until they shed their skin for the first time.

Also called Grass Snakes, these bright green snakes can be found in marshes, meadows, pastures, savannas, open woods, and along stream and lake edges. They prefer moist areas near permanent water sources.

Smooth Greensnake Range Map

They prey almost exclusively on insects and spiders and don’t use constriction; instead quickly striking and swallowing their prey alive.

Smooth Greensnakes hibernate during the winter in Quebec, seeking shelter in old mammal burrows and abandoned anthills. They often hibernate communally with other small snakes. They emerge in the spring, typically in April, and are active until October.

Smooth Greensnakes rely on their EXCELLENT camouflage to avoid predators. They’re also agile and can flee quickly if they must.

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#5. Dekay’s Brownsnake

• Storeria dekayi

Identifying Characteristics:

• Adults typically range from 15 to 33 centimeters in length.
• Coloration is light brown or gray to dark brown or black with two rows of dark spots down the back, which are sometimes linked.
• A dark streak down the head and may have a light stripe down the center of the back.

Dekay’s Brownsnakes occupy various terrestrial habitats as long as there’s plenty of cover available such as rocks, logs, boards, and all sorts of trash and organic debris. They’re often found in backyards and gardens under objects.

Dekay’s Brownsnake Range Map

These secretive, nocturnal snakes hunt during the evening and night, feeding primarily on slugs and earthworms. However, they’ve also been known to consume snails, insects, insect larvae, small tree frogs, tadpoles, frog eggs, spiders, and fish. Prey is typically grabbed and quickly swallowed alive.

These docile snakes usually don’t bite in defense. Instead, if captured, they often squirm vigorously or flatten their bodies and may release foul-smelling musk from glands near the base of their tail.

This species is considered common in most of its range and is not a major conservation concern. It adapts well to human development and has a reputation as a “city snake.” However, pesticide usage and clean-up of cover objects may reduce their populations in urban areas by reducing their habitat and food source.

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#6. Maritime Garter Snake

• Thamnophis sirtalis pallidulus

Identifying Characteristics:

• Adults can reach 102 centimeters in length!
• Coloration varies but is typically dark green, brown, or black. The stripes that are common on other garter snake species are missing or poorly developed.
• Features a yellowish chin, upper jaw, and belly. Some individuals may display a checkered or speckled patterning on the back.
• Subspecies of the Common Garter Snake.

Maritime Garter Snakes adapt well to humans in Quebec!

They are habitat generalists and can be found almost everywhere! Look for them in forests, shrublands, fields, rocky areas, wetlands, shorelines, and urban and agricultural areas. They’re commonly spotted when moving rocks or logs, where they hide underneath for protection and thermoregulation.

To survive the harsh northern winters in Quebec, these garter snakes hibernate below the frost line. They’ll utilize mammal and crayfish burrows, rock crevices, underground cavities, ant mounds, and manmade structures such as foundations. Interestingly, they often hibernate communally with other snakes!

This species isn’t considered threatened and can live to be TWENTY years old! They’re relatively common and can tolerate moderately disturbed human habitats well. However, populations near roads frequently have high road mortality rates.

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#7. Red-bellied Snake

• Storeria occipitomaculata

Identifying Characteristics:  

• A small woodland species that grows between 10 to 25 cm (4-10 in) long.
• Colors vary from orange, gray, black, and brown.
• Their bright red or orange belly stands out from other species.   

This species is probably the “cutest” snake in Quebec!

Red-bellied Snakes are small, docile, and have a bright red belly, which makes them VERY easy to identify.

Look for them under logs and leaf litter. They are also commonly found burrowed inside abandoned ant mounds. They are typically diurnal but can be hard to find due to their secretive nature.

Red-belled Snake Range Map

The colors represent the different subspecies of Storeria occipitomaculata.

Red-bellied Snakes have a unique behavior called “lip-curling,” where they curl their lips upward and flick their tongue when eating or feeling threatened. This behavior helps them catch their prey and also scares off potential predators.  

Unfortunately, people often kill this species out of fear. This is incredibly sad because these snakes are harmless and valuable to the ecosystem. In addition to this senseless slaughter, many are killed while crossing roads.   

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#8. Ring-necked Snake

• Diadophis punctatus  

Identifying Characteristics:  

• These snakes are usually solid olive, brown, bluish-gray, or smoky colored. Look for a distinctive yellow or red neckband.   
• The snake’s head color is usually slightly darker than the rest of the body, tending towards black rather than gray or olive.  
• Adults are usually between 25-38 cm (10-15 in) long.  

It can be hard to find these snakes in Quebec!

That’s because Ring-necked Snakes are VERY secretive and spend most of their time hiding in areas with lots of cover. In addition, they are nocturnal and rarely seen during the day.

Ring-necked Snake Range Map

The colors represent the different subspecies of Diadophis punctatus.

If you come across one, you may see its unique defense posture. Red-bellied Snakes will curl their tails and expose their bright red-orange bellies when they feel threatened in hopes of scaring you away.

Ring-necked Snakes mostly eat small salamanders, earthworms, and slugs. Not much is known about their population status because they are so hard to find!

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Do you need additional help identifying snakes in Quebec?

Try this field guide!

• Peterson Field Guides to Reptiles and Amphibians

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Which of these SNAKES have you seen before in Quebec?

Leave a comment below!

Also, if you enjoy this article, make sure to check out these other Quebec guides!

• 8 FROGS Found in Quebec! (ID Guide)

• The 31 MOST Common BIRDS That Are Seen in Quebec!