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Garter Snake Preservation Zone
Managing the Natural Resources
| Chinook Nature Park | Memorial
Forest | Storm Water |
Beaver Management
Fish Creek Provincial Park has two species of garter snakes:
the wandering and the red sided. These snakes are NOT poisonous. They
ARE a vital link in the food chains of the ecosystems they inhabit.
They help to keep the populations of insects and small mammals, such
as mice, in balance and are an important food source for many predators
including hawks, ravens, weasels and coyotes.
Both species are categorized as Sensitive (General Status of Alberta's
Wild Species 2000 Report). This means they currently are not at risk
of extinction or extirpation but may require special attention or protection
to prevent them from becoming at risk. Maintenance of stable populations
is dependent on habitat protection, public education and environmental
stewardship.
Snakes are wild animals! Many unfortunate things can happen to a snake
that is handled by people. The skin can be torn, leading to infection.
The backbone can be broken, causing paralysis. The snake may be dropped
to the ground causing injury to the internal organs.
QUIETLY STAND AND WATCH THE SNAKES.
FOR THEIR PROTECTION, DO NOT HANDLE THEM.
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 Wandering
Garter Snake
Identifying Features:
- body is very slender, average length is 450 to 1070 mm
- background colour is brown, gray or green
- dull yellow stripe along the back fades towards the tail
- side stripes are the same colour as the back stripe
- underside of the head is white
- females are larger than males
- diet is insects, worms, fish, amphibians, small birds and
mammals
- jaws can dislocate to spread far apart, enabling the snake
to consume prey larger than its mouth
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 Red
Sided Garter Snake
Identifying Features:
- body is very slender, average length is 460 to 1300 mm
- background colour is dark olive green to black
- dull yellow or brown stripe on the back fades towards the
tail
- red or orange bars appear on the sides
- dark spots appear on the back, throat is whitish
- females are larger than males
- diet is insects, worms, fish, amphibians, small birds and
mammals
- jaws can dislocate to spread far apart, enabling the snake
to consume prey larger than its mouth
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THEIR HABITAT
| Recreational use of the hill in the Shannon Terrace picnic area
has created three concerns that directly affect the health and survival
of the vegetation and the garter snakes living there. |
| LOSS OF PLANT
COVER
Repeated use of "informal paths" has eliminated existing
plants and prevented natural regeneration of the vegetation. |
DISTURBANCE OF
SNAKES
In the past, snakes have been disturbed by harmful acts which
have caused injury and even a decline in the population. |
COMPACTED SOIL
Repeated use of "informal paths" has packed the soil.
Seeds that land on the paths are blown away, washed away or die
before they can push their roots through the hard ground. |
 LACK
OF VEGETATION Soil compaction and the loss of vegetation
have combined to create two new challenges.
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 EROSION
Without plant roots to hold the soil in place, the ground is eroded
away by natural forces. Some is blown away but, because the soil
is compacted, this is a minor factor. The major problem arises
as melted snow or rain rushes down the steep hillsides, taking
the soil with it.
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 VULNERABILITY
TO PREDATORS Lack of vegetation to provide cover has left
the garter snakes more vulnerable to their natural predators.
This is particularly acute during spring and fall when the snakes
are very lethargic and easy targets as they emerge from or prepare
for hibernation. This creates an unusually high success rate for
the predators, resulting in a decreasing snake population. |
| HIBERNACULUM
The erosion of soil is causing some of the entrances and tunnels
of the garter snakes' hibernaculum (winter den) to collapse. If
no actions were taken, the entire area could become unsuitable
for the snakes as they have no way of creating new tunnels and
entrances.
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VISITOR
SAFETY
The soil that erodes down onto the paved path west of the hill
compromises Park visitors' safety. After heavy precipitation,
there can be a coating of mud up to 6 cm deep in places on the
path. This mud is slippery and difficult to get through safely.
The erosion also creates unstable spots on the crest of the hillside
that may collapse when people step on them.
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MEETING THE CHALLENGE
| The challenge facing Park management is
threefold: prevent the problems from escalating, repair the damage
and enlist the support of Park users in preserving and protecting
the plants and animals living in Fish Creek Provincial Park. |
PREVENT ESCALATION
To prevent the damage from escalating, the hill
has been declared a preservation zone. Preservation zones provide
the highest degree of protection to perpetuate natural heritage
features. Use of the hill will be controlled and access restricted
to undertake restoration measures for the area.
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REPAIR THE DAMAGE
Park staff, members of the Friends of Fish Creek
Provincial Park Society and volunteers have developed a reclamation
plan. Different methods of reclamation will be tried on the
slopes. The knowledge gained through this will be applied to
other projects in the Park. Other components of this project
will include monitoring the garter snakes' populations, monitoring
the condition of the fence and signs, and increasing public
awareness of the impact of human use on the environment.
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ENLIST PUBLIC SUPPORT
Please help us protect all of the animals living
in the Park:
- place litter in garbage cans
- feed people only
- quietly observe wildlife from a distance
- keep pets on a short leash
- leave all natural objects in the Park for wildlife food and
shelter
Help protect the plants:
- remain on the Park trails
- touch gently to avoid breaking parts of the plant
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FRIENDS OF FISH CREEK PROVINCIAL PARK
| In 1992 the Friends of Fish Creek Provincial
Park Society was established to assist in the protection, preservation
and enhancement of the diverse natural and human heritage which
lies within Fish creek provincial park. In 1994, the Society became
a registered charity. The Society:
- Promotes a positive and beneficial relationship between the
Park and Calgary's urban communities.
- Forms creative partnerships with the management of Fish Creek
Provincial Park and other groups to enhance park resources.
- Sponsors and supports research and education in the natural
sciences, environmental studies, recreation, park management,
and heritage interpretation.
For information about the Friends Of Fish Creek Provincial Park
Society, please call 238-3841 or visit their website at:
www.friendsoffishcreek.org |
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