Ontario is known for abundance of lakes,over 250000 exist in Ontario. Believe it or not, one-fifth of the earth’s freshwater is in Ontario and four of the five great lakes are within the borders of Ontario.Only province in Canada that touches the Great lakes is none other than Ontario. Lake Michigan is solitary Great Lake that doesn’t border Ontario. Swimming around in humongous volumes of freshwater in lakes of Ontario are a variety of water snakes and semi-aquatic snakes. Definitely not as snake-infested as lakes in warmer climates, like Florida or Texas, it is very much possible to spot a snake slithering by near a lake in Ontario.

What is the most common snake in Ontario?

The eastern garter snake, a subspecies of the common garter snake, is the most common snake in Ontario. They have brown, greenish or black bodies, and yellow or white stripe. This snake is plentiful in Ontario and it’s the snake people get to spot most easily. These non-venomous snakesare strong swimmers and their habitats are in proximity to freshwater sources like lakes, ponds, and streams. They are quite harmless but if you try picking them up then in defence they might bite. Bite may just cause minor swelling or itching as these snakes are not venomous.

Are there any venomous snakes in Ontario?

Solitary venomous snake species present in Ontario is Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake. It is a threatened species. Massasauga is a good swimmer despite not being a water snake. The Massasauga is quite shy and tries to avoid people but attacks if it feels threatened. One gets to spot these snakes rarely. Sightings of these snakes has been reported from the Bruce Peninsula (Lake Huron), on the eastern side of Georgian Bay and on the northeast shores of Lake Erie.

Ontario’s most snake-infested lakes

Lake Huron

Of all the Great Lakes,Lake Huron boasts the longest shoreline(3,827 miles)andhouses about 30,000 islands. It is second largest of the Great Lakes. It has soft sandy beaches,gorgeous sand dunes, wetlands, forests, picturesque lighthouses, sparkling turquoise water, and many channels, coves and bays.

Lake Huron is habitat of diverse wildlife, including snakes, and is one of the most snake-infested lakes in Ontario. The rare endangered venomous Massasauga lives in some regions of Lake Huron. The eastern garter snake can be easily sighted around the shore. One of Ontario’s largest snakes, the endangered eastern fox snake,lives in marshes and shorelines proximateto the Georgian Bay. Common water snake and common ribbon snake can be sighted in and around Lake Huron.

Lake Erie

Lake Erie is one of the smaller of the Great Lakes and is fourth largest among Great Lakes in terms of surface area. Lake Erie borders New York, Michigan, Ohio, and Ontario. Asignificant lake to both Canada and the United States, it provides drinking water to over 11 million people. It also provides hydroelectric power to millions of people through Niagara falls. It is shallower than the other Great Lakes, and its water is warmer, making it habitat to a diverse number of snake species. The venomous Massasauga live in bogs and marshy areas along Erie. Lake Erie water snake, a subspecies of northern water snake resides on a few of Lake Erie’s many islands. Gray rat snake, northern water snake, eastern fox snake, eastern garter snake, and the common water snake can also be sighted around Lake Erie.

Lake Ontario

It is smallest among the Great Lakes by surface area, and is most easterly. Lake Ontario is boundedto the south by New York and on the north by Ontario. Location of this lake is between Lake Erie and the St. Lawrence River and is close to the Atlantic Ocean. Lake Ontario supports anassortment of habitats including forests, wetlands, rocky cliffs, barrier beaches and sand dunes.

Main Duck Island, atiny island in the eastern part of Lake Ontario, within the Thousand Islands National Park, is known for its large population of northern water snakes. Among the largest snakes found in Ontario, northern water snakes can grow from 24 to 42 inches long. Eastern garter snake and grayrat snake are other snakes found in and around Lake Ontario.

Lake Superior

Lake Superior, the most north-western Great Lake, is the largest freshwater lake on the earth by surface area and third largest on the earth by volume. It’s the deepest among the Great Lakes with a maximum depth of 1,332 feet. Ontario, Wisconsin,Minnesota and Michigan, all border the Lake Superior.

Despite water in Lake Superior retaining coolness all through the year, you can still sight snakes in and around the water. Snakes you may run encounter in Lake Superior include the eastern garter snakeand northern water snake.

Lake Nipigon

Among the lakes that are located entirely within Ontario, Lake Nipigon is the largest. Its waters drain into the Nipigon River, which is the largest tributary of Lake Superior. Lake Nipigon’s waters is cold just likeLake Superior. This lake sparingly called the sixth Great Lake is habitat to eastern garter snake.

Lake of the Woods

Just like Lake Nipigon, it’s sometimes called the sixth Great Lake. Astonishingly, this lake contains over 14,500 islands. The islands provide habitat for the piping ploverand is nesting site for bald eagles. The lake is a popular spot for fishing muskellunge, the largest member of the pike family. Trout, bass, lake whitefish and walleye are other fish varieties found abundantly here. Eastern garter snake is abundant in the area and can be found swimming in the lake.