Expert says snakes are under-appreciated

By Mark Ribble

REGIONAL — Matt Ellerbeck, one of Ontario’s leading snake experts, says that the reptiles are under-appreciated and that we should learn more about them.

“People don’t realize that snakes can be beneficial,” he says. “Those little garter snakes in your garden will help with pest control.”

Ellerbeck says that the small garter snakes and the De Kay’s Brownsnake both eat a lot of insects and snails.

And the larger snakes, like the Eastern Fox Snake, eat a lot of rodents.

The De Kay’s Brown Snake is often found in gardens and small wooded areas. It’s usually a small snake, similar to a Garter Snake.

Photos courtesy of Matt Ellerbeck

“We know that rodents carry a lot of disease and also carry a lot of ticks,” he said. “Snakes that eat rodents will take care of that problem.”

Ellerbeck says that a recent study of the Timber Rattle Snake showed that they will devour over 4,000 ticks in a season.

Speaking of rattlesnakes, the only rattlesnake in Ontario is the Massassauga Rattle Snake, which is extinct in these parts — except for Ojibway Nature Preserve in LaSalle.

The rattle snakes at Ojibway are few and far between and are seldom seen, but they are the only venomous snake in the province.

The Leamington-Point Pelee area is home to GarterSnakes, Water Snakes, Eastern Fox Snakes and others.

Pelee Island is home to the Lake Erie Water Snake and the Blue Racer, both of which are considered species at risk by the federal government.

“There was a time when your area was home to the Massassauga Rattle Snake, the Milk Snake and Hog Snake, but they have disappeared down there,” said Ellerbeck.

Snake expert, Matt Ellerbeck with a Yellow Rat Snake.

Photos courtesy of Matt Ellerbeck

Raised near Brockville, Ontario, Ellerbeck became interested in snakes as a child and often felt that the presentation of snakes on television and in the media was a poor representation.

“They get a bad rap because of how they are portrayed,” he said. “But in reality, snakes don’t want to be around people.”

He says that almost all snake bites occur when people deliberately try to pick them up or capture them.

“They are not out to get us,” he said.

The Eastern Fox Snake is this area’s largest snake.

Photos courtesy of Matt Ellerbeck

Ellerbeck turned his interest in the reptiles into a career, and — prior to COVID — spent countless hours going to schools, camps and conservation areas to educate people about snakes.

Snake populations decrease mainly because of road incidents and from people who want to kill them. He reminds us to avoid harming them where possible.

“If you see one on the road and can safely stop, please let the snake live,” he said.

“You’ll be helping their existence greatly.”

He feels that once people can look at snakes from a different perspective, they will be able to appreciate the benefits of having them around.

If you come across a snake in your yard, or would like to know more, you can visit his website at www.snakeadvocacy.com or his Facebook Page which is simply Matt Ellerbeck, the Snake Man.