The Ontario Rattlesnake Population Protection
Rattlesnakes are one of Ontario's most important species. Rattlesnakes live all over Ontario and there are many different species of snake with distinguishing characteristics. The Ontario rattlesnake population is threatened by human behaviour.
The Sistrurus catenatus (Massasauga rattlesnake) is one of the most common rattlesnakes in Ontario. Inhabiting everywhere from tall grass prairie, bogs, or marshes Massasauga Rattlesnakes can be found throughout Ontario. Massasauga rattlesnakes are most common along the eastern side of Georgian Bay and on the Bruce Peninsula. The Massasauga is a stout-bodied rattlesnake, usually about 50 to 70 centimetres long. It is Ontario's only venomous snake. Ontario rattlesnakes mate mid to late summer when they reach the age 4 or 5. An average litter for a snake is 2 to 19 newborns. They hide under rocks and tree trunks to avoid predators. The average lifespan of an Ontario rattlesnake is 15 to 20 years.
There are 17 different species of Ontario rattlesnakes. Some include Massasauga rattlesnake, Rat snake, Northern Water snake and Timber rattlesnake. Ontario rattlesnakes inhabit a wide range of ecosystems including tall grass prairie, bogs, marshes, shorelines and forests. The only Ontario rattlesnake that is venomous is the Massasauga unlike the Timber which is not. Rattlesnakes are important to their ecosystems. They prey on small rodents, keeping the populations naturally in check so that the rodents don't cause damage to the crops or spread disease. Snakes not only help their ecosystem they also help humans by using extracted venom in treatments for things like cancer, blood clots and Parkinson's.
The Massasauga and the Timber rattlesnake population are both threatened in Ontario but not extinct. The greatest threat Ontario rattlesnakes have is the loss and destruction of its habitat. Deforestation, quarry mining, housing and draining wetlands for agriculture have all taken their toll. Road building has not only reduced available habitat, but has also reduced the snakes range. Roads also mean more road kills, especially in spring and fall when the snakes migrate between their summer and winter habitats. Poaching and deliberate killing of these threatened species also reduces the population. The threat to these species is increasing as more and more construction goes on.
The Canada National Parks Act protects massasaugas and their habitat within the boundaries of three national parks Georgian Bay Islands National Park, Bruce Peninsula National Park, and Fathom Five National Marine Park. Individuals can help these species by reporting a massasauga rattlesnake to local authorities when they see one. People can also help by not delebritaly killing snakes and poaching. Youth from 14 different countries around the world have drafted the International Youth Accord on Biodiversity. It has been signed by people in more than 50 countries. The youth presented the Accord to world leaders at the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity 10th Conference during October 2010. The youth Accord envision that biodiversity will be protected to sustain global ecosystems and life on our planet now, and in the future.
