Outdoor Ontario

Wildlife Reports => Toronto Wildlife => Topic started by: Brian Bailey on April 16, 2010, 11:02:03 PM

Title: Brown Snake
Post by: Brian Bailey on April 16, 2010, 11:02:03 PM

We found a Brown Snake on a walking path at Sam Smith Park this evening.  We moved it off the path so that it wouldn't get stepped on or run over by a bike.  It was too late for soaking up the sun anyway.

I've seen lots of Garter Snakes there, but I can't recall ever seeing a Brown Snake.

BB

Title:
Post by: Halton Hills on April 17, 2010, 05:13:19 AM

.


Did it have a bright red-orange belly?


.

Title:
Post by: Brian Bailey on April 17, 2010, 10:16:35 AM

Quote from: "Halton Hills"

.


Did it have a bright red-orange belly?


.

No, the belly had a slight pinkish tinge, especially near the tail, but the back and head were all exactly right for a Brown Snake.  (Pale brown with two rows of dark spots.  Dark head sharply contrasting with the neck.)

BB

Title: Re: Brown Snake
Post by: Bird Brain on April 17, 2010, 12:20:13 PM

Quote from: "Brian Bailey"

We found a Brown Snake on a walking path at Sam Smith Park this evening.  We moved it off the path so that it wouldn't get stepped on or run over by a bike.  

BB

Hi Brian.  That was a really nice and kind thing to do!  

I've seen Brown Snakes at Erindale Park over the years.  

Jo-Anne  :)

Title: High Park Brown Snake
Post by: Iain on April 17, 2010, 02:04:44 PM

Here's one I found in High Park a couple of years ago, about 12 inches long:

(http://iaindmfleming.zenfolio.com/img/v1/p134608325-3.jpg)

(http://iaindmfleming.zenfolio.com/img/v1/p1051621095-3.jpg)

Iain

Title:
Post by: Brian Bailey on April 17, 2010, 07:44:42 PM

Love that first one!

It also appears to be a small Brown Snake that Graham found a robin eating on Monday:  http://outdoorontario.net/birds/phpBB/v ... php?t=5130 (http://outdoorontario.net/birds/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=5130)

BB

Title:
Post by: Moira on April 18, 2010, 07:21:32 PM

Likely a dumb question, but ... what is the significance (if any) when a snake raises it's head?  Is it in defense?  I was photographing a snake which was just sunning itself on the path; it then raised about the top 6-8" of itself and went into the tall grass (and I quickly left it alone.)

Title:
Post by: Leslie on April 22, 2010, 02:31:12 PM

Raising its head could be defense, but it could also be to get a better view.  Snakes use their forked tongues to "sniff" (not a technical explanation, I know), and the air currents are probably a little better a few inches off the ground.
Colubrids (such as garter snakes and brown snakes) have fairly good vision as well, but I've always wondered how much they can see.  I mean, how much room is there in a snake's head for information processing?  How big are their brains?

Title:
Post by: Moira on April 22, 2010, 06:55:44 PM

Thanks Leslie.