Prince Edward Islanders are once again urged to be on the lookout for smooth green snakes, the smallest and rarest reptile species on the island. Last year, the province’s forests, fish, and wildlife division called for public assistance in spotting these snakes, resulting in over 20 confirmed sightings. According to Julie-Lynn Zahavich, a forest conservation specialist, the observations helped confirm the presence of smooth green snakes across P.E.I. and provided insights into their habitat preferences for better habitat modeling.
Zahavich emphasized the importance of understanding the population trends of these “potentially imperiled” snakes, especially in grassy areas where they can camouflage well. Monitoring the population trends can help determine if the snake numbers are increasing or decreasing, guiding future management strategies. Unlike the other snake species in the province that are mostly brown or tan, smooth green snakes stand out with their bright green coloration.
Islanders are encouraged to report any smooth green snake sightings to the division, providing GPS coordinates, detailed descriptions, photographs, or videos of the encounter. Both live and deceased snake sightings are valuable for research purposes. Zahavich expressed gratitude for the public’s assistance in the previous year and hopes for a similar response this year, assuring that these harmless snakes are beneficial in gardens as they help control insect populations.