Snakes in Northwest Territories

The Northwest Territories has 1 recorded snake species and no venomous species. Snake diversity here is among the lowest anywhere in North America, a direct result of the territory's far northern position and short, cool summers.

Cold is the limiting factor. Snakes are ectotherms that rely on outside warmth to stay active, so the long, severe winters and brief warm season leave very little room for them to feed, breed, and reach safe overwintering sites. Where snakes do persist this far north, they survive by hibernating communally in deep underground dens, called hibernacula, below the frost line, packing together and waiting out winters that can last most of the year. The one species present is the common garter snake, the most cold-tolerant snake in the Americas and the reason a snake can live here at all.

Every snake in the Northwest Territories is harmless to people. There are no rattlesnakes or other venomous species in the territory. The garter snake is a small, slender, harmless animal that eats worms, amphibians, and small fish and poses no danger. Even so, do not handle any wild snake; observe it and leave it alone. If a bite ever does occur and you have any concern, call your local emergency services or contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for guidance.