Genetic work being done by researchers to determine where snakes came from
Jimmy Short of Corner Brook spends lots of time in the Newfoundland outdoors, but this garter snake he found in the Doyles area of southwestern Newfoundland on July 4 was the first one he’d ever seen. — ContributedaFrite Restaurant's Fight for Survival: little Halifax versus Halifax's little Toronto | SaltWireCORNER BROOK, N.L. — Up until 2017, Crystal Metcalfe thought the island of Newfoundland was free of snakes.
“Once I got out there, I seen my husband jumping about just to realize he had only startled a snake while he was mowing by the road," she said.The critter was a common garter snake and, although it was surprising to the Metcalfes to come across the non-native species, these snakes have been known to be populating the southwestern corner of Newfoundland for more than a decade now.
Her research is attempting to figure out where they came from, whether they behave differently from garter snakes in their native range and what impact they might be having on native Newfoundland species. “I also found that the people of Newfoundland are amazingly eager to help out, providing reports of sightings, pictures and lots of historical information about snakes on the island,” she said.
Jessica Humber, a biodiversity ecologist with the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, said the province is also interested in learning more answers to questions such as how these snakes arrived and how they are interacting with the ecosystem. Another photo of the garter snake Jimmy Short of Corner Brook came across in the Doyles area of southwestern Newfoundland on July 4. — ContributedAt any rate, the presence of snakes, said Humber, should serve as a reminder of the risks of introducing a new species to any ecosystem, especially an island one like Newfoundland’s.
“I am not afraid of snakes, as I have been around them when I lived in Ontario many years ago and owned a couple over my life, but they are getting overwhelming here now.”The Metcalfes have two children, four-year-old son Austin and a six-month-old daughter Amelia. The Metcalfes have a hobby farm with chickens and ducks. So far, the snakes don’t seem to be causing any issues for the animals or their human owners, other than giving everyone a good startle once in a while.
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