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Prince Edward Islanders are again being asked to keep an eye out for smooth green snakes.
They’re the smallest of P.E.I.’s three snake species — and they’re the Island’s rarest reptile.
The province’s forests, fish and wildlife division asked the public to keep an eye out for the snakes last year, which resulted in more than 20 reliable sightings.
“It helped us realize that they are still present across P.E.I.,” said Julie-Lynn Zahavich, a forest conservation specialist with the division.
“It helped us sort of figure out what habitat types they’re using in P.E.I. so that we can refine some of our habitat modelling.”
The snakes are “potentially imperiled” in the province, Zahavich said, and can be found in grassy areas where they can blend into their surroundings.
“We would like to know more about them so we can … determine population trends,” she said.
“Are they increasing, decreasing? And if they are decreasing, that might help us decide … what management actions to take in the future.”
The snakes are bright green in colour, making them more distinctive than the province’s other two species, which tend to be more brown or tan.
Islanders can help by providing the division with GPS co-ordinates if they spot a smooth green snake, or even a detailed description, photographs or video of where it was seen. That applies to snakes both alive and dead.
People can contact the division’s office or message its Facebook page.
“We had a lot of success last year, all thanks to public observation, so we’re really hoping to get the same response this year,” Zahavich said.
“They are harmless, so you don’t have to be afraid of them, and they’re actually quite useful to have in your garden. They will eat bugs and insects, so they’re a good thing to have around.”
