Garter snake

Every spring, in the limestone country of the Manitoba Interlake, something remarkable happens. Tens of thousands of red-sided garter snakes emerge from underground dens near Narcisse, in one of the largest gatherings of snakes in the world. The males appear first, waiting for the females, and soon the ground writhes with mating balls.

Garter snakes are harmless to people, feeding on frogs, worms, and small fish. They are among the few snakes able to live this far north, and they spend the long winter in deep, frost-free crevices, sometimes together in large numbers. In a province with so many cold months, the short snake season is one of the most intense events of the year.

The clean stripes of a garter snake and the calm way it moves through the grass are what I like most about it.

Garter snake Manitoba sightings

Where and when you can find the garter snake in Manitoba depends on the season and the habitat. You can see more animals in the Manitoba wildlife section.

Back to Manitoba wildlife photography, or see the portfolio.