As a child, I loved catching garter snakes.

Whenever I spotted one, I’d freeze in my tracks, watching the grass for the slightest movement that gave away its location. I’d creep within reach before making a quick grab. If successful, I’d hold it carefully in both hands, unfazed by the rather unpleasant smell that garter snakes emit. After admiring it for a minute or two, and proudly showing it to my friends or family, I’d always let it go where I caught it, thrilled by the encounter.

Now, as a grandfather, I’m delighted that my three granddaughters share the same fascination. Whether catching garter snakes themselves or marvelling at the rattlesnakes at Canada’s Dinosaur Park near Norwood, they remind me that a love of snakes can span generations.

Quiet, secretive, and beautifully adapted to their environment, snakes are most active and visible in summer. You might encounter one crossing a trail, hiding in a woodpile or under a board, swimming along a shoreline, or basking on a warm rock or sunlit road. Although such encounters may trigger apprehension in some people, all our local species are harmless.

The following is a brief guide to the nine species that call the Kawarthas home. All play important roles in local ecosystems. Learning to recognize and appreciate these remarkable reptiles can make time outdoors even more rewarding. Since many species are declining in number, I have also included their provincial conservation status according to the Species at Risk in Ontario (SARO).

Eastern garter snake (45—70 cm)

By far the species you’re most likely to encounter, the eastern garter snake is a familiar sight in gardens, parks, woodlands and cottage country. It is usually dark with three yellowish stripes running the length of its body and often has reddish-orange markings along the sides. Garter snakes feed on frogs,........

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