Queen Snake

Regina septemvittata

The queen snake is a slender, aquatic snake that measures between 38 - 61 cm, and is the only snake with a striped underside. It feeds mainly on crayfish, however the crayfish feed on the juvenile and hibernating Queen snake in return. The Canadian population, restricted to an area west of the Niagara Escarpment and south of Georgian Bay, represents the northern extreme of the species' range. It has highly specific habitat requirements, seldom found farther than 3m from water. The three conditions necessary to support the queen snake are: a permanent, warm body of water, abundant cover, and an abundance of crayfish. Urban development makes these conditions continually harder to find, and is leading to a decline in the snake's numbers.