Snakes in Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador has 1 snake species recorded and no venomous species. Even that single count is a generous read of the province's situation, because Canada's far northern position and cold climate keep snake diversity here among the lowest anywhere in North America.

Snakes are cold-blooded, so the long, harsh winters set a hard ceiling on how many species can survive this far north. Where snakes do hang on near the southern edges of Canada, they often hibernate communally, gathering by the dozens or hundreds in shared underground dens below the frost line to wait out months of cold. That dependence on rare, deep, frost-free shelter is a big reason the province supports so little snake life. The most cold-tolerant snakes in the Americas are the garter snakes, which is why they reach farther north than nearly any other species. Other harmless snakes found across milder parts of Canada include redbelly, ringneck, and watersnakes, though their range does not meaningfully extend into this province.

There are no venomous snakes here. Canada's only venomous species live far to the south and west: the massasauga in parts of Ontario, the prairie rattlesnake in the prairies and western British Columbia, and the western rattlesnake in British Columbia. None reach Newfoundland and Labrador, so any snake you might encounter here is harmless or very low risk. Even so, do not handle a wild snake; observe it and leave it alone. If a bite ever occurs and you are concerned, seek medical care and contact local emergency services or, in the US, Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.