Northern Pacific Rattlesnake (photo credit: Wildsafe B.C.)

By Kevin Rothwell

Know the difference

Okanagan snake season returns

May 18, 2021 | 5:00 AM

The warmer weather over the weekend saw lots more people outdoors walking and hiking.

In area parks like Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park, the warmth also brought out snakes.

Local wildlife expert Pete Wise, of Wise Wildlife Control Services, posted information on social media to assist people in recognizing the differences between the potentially deadly Northern Pacific Rattlesnake, and similar looking, but less dangerous species.

“The most common question we get is, what is that snake? Wise said.

He indicated the highest volume for identification are between the Northern Pacific Rattlesnake and Great Basin Gopher Snake.

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Side by side comparison between Northern Pacific Rattlesnake and the Great Basin Gopher Snake (photo credit: B.C. reptiles.ca)

“As a reminder, snakes are protected in B.C. so please do not go at it with a stick, shovel or other apparatus,” added Wise.

Wildlife expert Pete Wise talks to Brian Martin and Rebecca Barton from Beach Radio about snakes in the Okanagan below.

According to B.C. reptiles.ca of the nine species of snakes in British Columbia, there are four that overlap in range and that are commonly confused with rattlesnakes. They are:

• the Western Terrestrial Garter Snake
• the Great Basin Gopher Snake
• the Night Snake
• juvenile Western Yellow-bellied Racers

According to Wildsafe B.C. the Conservation Officers Service receives 40 calls a year to deal with rattlers.