8 Types of SNAKES in British Columbia! (ID Guide)

There are A LOT of snakes in British Columbia!

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 British Columbia are very different from each other.

For example, some species are venomous, while others use constriction to immobilize their prey. 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 British Columbia!

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#1. Red-sided Garter Snake

• Thamnophis proximus parietalis

Identifying Characteristics:

• Normally dark green to black, but color varies.
• Three yellow stripes; one down the back and one down each side.
• As the name suggests, red or orange bars run along their sides between the yellow stripes.
• Subspecies of the Common Garter Snake.

Like other garter snakes, they are habitat generalists. Look for them in eastern British Columbia in forests, shrublands, wetlands, fields, and rocky areas. Their favorite foods include frogs, earthworms, and leeches! YUM! 🙂

In some areas, after emerging from hibernation, there are not enough females for all the males. In these cases, “mating frenzies” occur, and dozens and dozens of these snakes can be found together.

To survive colder months, Red-sided Garter Snakes have to hibernate BELOW the frost line. Depending on the area they are located in, it can be hard to find suitable locations. So the few adequate hibernation dens can shelter hundreds, even thousands, of snakes! To see an example, watch the video below:

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#2. Terrestrial Garter Snake

• Thamnophis elegans

Identifying Characteristics:

• Adults range from 45 to 104 centimeters in length.
• Most adults have three yellow, light orange, or white stripes; one down their back and two down their sides.
• Coloration is widely variable. Individuals may be brownish or greenish. Some have red and black spots between the stripes, and occasionally all black individuals are found.

This snake can be difficult to identify in British Columbia!

Even trained herpetologists have issues! Its coloration varies widely, and there are believed to be 6 subspecies, although scientists still debate this.

Terrestrial Garter Snakes occupy various habitats, including both grasslands and forests. They can even be found in mountainous areas up to 3900 meters above sea level. As the name suggests, they’re primarily found on land. But interestingly, these garter snakes are great swimmers!

This species is the only garter snake in British Columbia with a tendency to constrict prey! Most garter snakes grab their prey quickly and just swallow, rubbing their prey against the ground if necessary.

Terrestrial Garter Snakes aren’t aggressive or dangerous, but they do possess mildly venomous saliva! It can cause a muscle infection or even kill some muscle tissue. Most bites on humans just cause pain and some swelling.

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#3. Valley Garter Snake

• Thamnophis sirtalis fitchi

Identifying Characteristics

• Adults range from 145 to 139 centimeters in length.
• Coloration is brown to black with three yellow stripes: one down the back and one down each side.
• Pronounced red bars between the yellow stripes. Yellowish chin, jaw, and belly, and a black head, which often has red sides.
• Subspecies of the Common Garter Snake.

Valley Garter Snakes are found in various habitats, including forests, wetlands, scrublands, fields, shorelines, and rocky areas. They’re also well adapted to humans and are often found in urban areas.

Look for these snakes in British Columbia under rocks, logs, and other objects, which they use for cover and thermoregulation. During the winter, they hibernate, often communally, below the frost line. They will use a variety of underground cavities, including mammal and crayfish burrows, rock crevices, ant mounds, and manmade spaces such as foundations and cisterns.

When disturbed, Valley Garter Snakes try to escape into the water and are excellent swimmers. If captured, be prepared for them to release musk and feces onto your hands! They may also strike, but only if they feel extremely threatened.

The Valley Garter Snake is considered a species of low risk. They are quite common and adapt well to human-modified habitats. However, they are frequently killed on roadways and are sometimes killed out of fear.

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#4. Western Rattlesnake

• Crotalus oreganus

Identifying Characteristics:

• Adult size varies widely over their range, with the largest individuals being 180 centimeters in length.
• Coloration varies greatly and can be dark brown, yellowish, dark gray, or olive-brown.
• Triangular head, heat-sensing pits between the eyes and nostrils, dark stripe with white borders that runs from the eye towards the jaw.

Also known as the Northern Pacific Rattle Snake, this venomous species occupies a wide range of habitats in southern British Columbia. They can be found in mountainous areas, woodlands, and grasslands. They also often occur in close proximity to humans.

Western Rattlesnake Range Map

Western Rattlesnakes have excellent camouflage and unique coloring, as these snakes show considerable variation. When they’re young, they have a distinct color pattern, but it fades over time as the snakes mature.

These snakes may be active during the day or night and are often curled, waiting to ambush a variety of prey. They’ll feed on small mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. They may also eat bird eggs, and young snakes often feed on insects.

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#5. Puget Sound Garter Snake

• Thamnophis sirtalis pickeringii

Identifying Characteristics:

• Adults range from 70 to 100 centimeters in length.
• Coloration is dark grey or black.
• Look for three yellow or bluish stripes; a narrow one down the back and one down each side.

This beautiful garter snake is a subspecies of the Common Garter Snake and can be found in southwest British Columbia. Look for them in forests, wetlands, shorelines, scrublands, fields, rocky areas, and urban areas. They’re typically spotted by rocks and logs, which they shelter under for thermoregulation.

As the name suggests, the Puget Sound Garter snake has a limited range. It is only found on Vancouver Island and the surrounding mainland coast in Canada and northwest Washington.

These garter snakes hibernate during the winter, often with other snakes of the same species. They’ll use a variety of underground cavities as long as they’re below the frost line. These include mammal and crayfish burrows, ant mounds, rock crevices, foundations, cisterns, and other human structures.

Luckily, this species adapts well to human activity, and they aren’t a high-risk species. Inside their small range, they are typically the most commonly seen snake. However, they are frequently hit on roads in urban areas, face habitat loss, and are sometimes killed out of fear.

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#6. Northwestern Garter Snake

• Thamnophis ordinoides

Identifying Characteristics:

• Adults average between 30 and 60 centimeters in length.
• COLORATION IS HIGHLY VARIABLE. Individuals can be blackish, olive, brownish, bluish, or gray, sometimes with a reddish tint.
• Typically has three stripes, one down the back and one down each side. The color of these stripes can be red, yellow, orange, tan, white, greenish, or blue; however, on certain snakes, the stripes may be dull, narrow, or absent!

The Northwestern Garter Snake prefers damp areas in southwestern British Columbia with lots of vegetation and open sunny areas. They may be spotted near houses and are often found when moving boards, logs, or other objects that they use for cover.

This species is predominantly terrestrial. However, these garter snakes can swim, and some local individuals have been observed hunting in the water! They feed mainly on slugs and earthworms, but they also prey on snails, small amphibians, and possibly fish.

The Northwestern Garter Snake will typically flee into dense vegetation if disturbed. One study found that individuals with stripes usually move away quickly because their stripes make it difficult for predators to determine their speed. But plain or spotted individuals frequently freeze while fleeing because their excellent camouflage helps them blend in while they’re motionless.

#7. North American Racer

• Coluber constrictor

Identifying Characteristics:  

• Adults typically range from 50 to 152 cm (20 to 60 in) in total length  

• The patterns and texture of their skin vary widely among subspecies. However, most are solid-colored and have a lighter-colored underbelly.

True to their name, North American Racers are one of the FASTEST snakes in British Columbia!

When they get moving, they can speed away at up to 3.5 miles per hour (5.6 kph). These active snakes are curious and have excellent vision. In fact, they are known to raise their heads above the height of the grass to view their surroundings.  

Despite their scientific name (constrictor), North American Racers do not squeeze their prey to death. Instead, they subdue their victim by holding it down with their body. Smaller prey is simply swallowed alive.

North American Racer Range Map

These nonvenomous snakes fight back incredibly hard if they feel threatened or become trapped. You can expect them to bite, thrash, defecate, and release a foul-smelling musk, especially if you try holding one. In addition, racers will try to impersonate rattlesnakes by shaking their tails in dry leaves.  

North American Racers are still abundant in many places. But they face threats as they are losing habitat to urbanization and development. Unfortunately, many people also kill them out of fear, even though they are completely harmless, especially if you leave them alone. 

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#8. Northern Rubber Boa

• Charina bottae

Also known as the Coastal Rubber Boa.

Identifying Characteristics:  

• Adults are between 38-84 cm (1.25 to 2.76 ft.) long.
• They have smooth and shiny scales, and their skin is typically tan to dark brown with a lighter belly.
• One of the most noticeable features of rubber boas is their short and blunt tails, which are often confused for their heads.  

As the name suggests, rubber boas get their name from their loose, wrinkled skin that looks and feels like rubber.   

Northern Rubber Boas can thrive in diverse habitats in British Columbia, ranging from grasslands, meadows, and chaparrals to deciduous and coniferous forests and high alpine environments. One place you WON’T find this snake is in hot and dry areas, as they cannot tolerate higher temperatures.

The best place to find one is typically under shelter, such as rocks, logs, leaf litter, and burrows.   

Northern Rubber Boas are often used to assist individuals in overcoming their fear of snakes. These gentle snakes never attempt to strike or bite humans under any circumstances. However, on rare occasions, they might emit a strong musk from their vent if they sense danger.   

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Do you need additional help identifying snakes in British Columbia?

Try this field guide!

• Peterson Field Guides to Reptiles and Amphibians

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Which of these SNAKES have you seen before in British Columbia?

Leave a comment below!

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

• 5 FROGS Found in British Columbia! (ID Guide)

• 2 Kinds of TOADS That Live in British Columbia!

• The 18 MOST Common BIRDS That Are Seen in British Columbia!