There are approximately 2,700 snake species in the world. Individually species can adapt to specific local habitat condition, which enables them to occupy most habitats throughout the world. Most snakes in Eastern Canada are at the northern limit of their geographical range. The northern ribbon snake is found in the south-central area of the province, while the northern ringneck snake is found in uplands of deciduous or mixed wood forests and on parts of Cape Breton Island. The northern redbelly, eastern smooth green, and Maritime garter snake are found throughout the province.
Snakes are cold-blooded animals.
Their body temperatures fluctuate with the temperature of the environment in which they find themselves. Here, they hibernate below ground for about six months each year because of the cold. They find their prey using a specialized organ in the roof of their mouth called the jocobson's organ, which provides something similar to a sense of smell. Their long, forked tongue picks up particles from odours, which the brain deciphers when the snake sticks ins tongue into this two-holed organ. In this way, the snake detects its prey without eye contact.