If you hear a rattle sound while in the wild, STOP do NOT run away (you might run right into the snake!). Find out where the sound is coming from, either go in the opposite direction or walk widely around the sound. The rattlesnake's rattle is warning you of their presence. Do NOT approach a rattling rattlesnake. Also avoid touching a dead rattlesnake as the biting reflex still works.
Rattlesnakes are found in the hot, dry valleys of and prefer rocky, rugged grasslands with little to no tree cover.
Carnivorous, consuming a variety of small mammals including deer mice, voles, pocket gophers, marmots, squirrels, and occasionally other snakes.
Mating occurs in the summer. Females are live-bearing and give birth the following year during September and October. While pregnant, females don't eat.
Western rattlesnakes are found in the southern interior of B.C., southeastern Alberta, and southwestern Saskatchewan. Their species is of special concern due to habitat loss and human disturbances.
Charina was brought into our Rehabilitation Centre by a member of the public and had previously been illegally kept as a pet. Because the Park had no way of knowing where she was captured from, she was ineligible for release.
Rubber boa's avoid dry, hot, areas. Instead, they prefer coniferous forests and riparian areas.
These boa consume primarily small rodents, and specialize in eating the young of mice and shrews. They use their rounded tail to keep the mother mouse busy, while they swallow the young whole.
Mating occurs in the Spring after the snakes emerge from hibernation. Female rubber boas only reproduce every 4 years. Females are live-bearing and can give birth to 1-8 baby snakes.
Rubber boas are found throughout western North America from British Columbia to California. Their species is of special concern as they're vulnerable to habitat loss and human disturbances.
In the winter, gopher snakes will share the same hibernaculum (winter den) with Western rattlesnakes.
Gopher snakes are found in the hot, dry, grasslands of B.C. They can also be found in ponderosa pine forests; however, they prefer sagebrush and bunchgrass habitats.
Gopher snakes are carnivorous, primarily hunting rodents; however, they will also eat insects, other snakes, frogs, birds, and eggs.
Mating occurs in the spring with 2-8 eggs being laid in late June - early July. An ideal nest site must be found as females do not incubate their eggs.
These snakes are found primarily in the interior of British Columbia and their wild population is not at risk.
When a garter snake is being attacked by a predator, it will thrash wildly and release a stinky smelling liquid (musk) from its vent (opening of the digestive and reproductive tract).
Garter snakes are comfortable in many different habitats; however, are rarely found far from water and prefer areas such as meadows, estuaries, and riparian areas
Mating occurs in the spring after the snakes emerge from hibernation. Female garter snakes are live-bearing and give birth in the late summer to 1 to 17 baby snakes.
These snakes are typically found throughout southern B.C., from the interior to lower mainland. They can survive in a wide variety of habitats, and their wild population is not at risk.
Pacific chorus frog can change colour rapidly from light to dark; possibly in response to changes in temperature and humidity.
Prefer woodlands, meadows, and pastures; however, can also live in urban areas.
Tadpoles consume a variety of vegetation such as algae and decomposing leaf litter, while the adults primarily eat insects.
Breeding occurs in early spring and the males make loud calls to attract females. Females lay clusters of 10-70 eggs which take approximately 3-4 weeks to hatch.
These small frogs can be found throughout southern B.C., Vancouver Island, and along the west coast to Mexico; however, not found east of the Rocky Mountains, and prefer areas that tend to be more moist. This wild population is not at risk.
Avoiding open water, these toads can be found around shallow ponds, marshes, and bogs.
As opportunistic predators, western toads will eat anything they can easily catch, including worms, spiders, and crayfish.
The western toad mating season runs from March to May. Females may only reproduce every 1-3 years, laying up to 12,000 eggs in shallow water.
One of the widest ranging toads in B.C., persisting in habitats throughout the province; their wild population is of special concern.
These turtles live in bodies of water such as streams, marshes, swamps, ponds, lakes, and reservoirs.
As juveniles, red-eared slider's are carnivores. When these turtles reach maturity they are omnivores, consuming algae, frogs, fish, snails, and dead or decaying matter.
Females will dig their nests in soft soils close to water. Hatchlings (baby turtles) will emerge from the nest in 60-70 days.
Native to southeastern United States, Mexico, Central America, and Brazil, and are an invasive species in B.C.
Male painted turtles have longer claws and longer tails than females. The painted turtle is the only native freshwater turtle in B.C.
Mating occurs in the spring, and females only reproduce every second year. Females will travel up to 150m away from their aquatic habitat to find a suitable nest site.
Found in southwestern Canada, the United States, and parts of Mexico; their wild population is of special concern.
These lizards will first try to flee and hide from predators, but can also bite, release a smelly musk, and detach their tail to aid in escape.
Prefers dry woodlands, grasslands, riparian areas, streams, and ocean beaches.
These lizards prefer to consume beetles, caterpillars, grasshoppers, spiders, snails, scorpions, and millipedes.
Alligator lizards are live bearing, mating in the Spring. In August and September, females will give birth to 4-6 live young.
Mortimer was born in 2008 and he was donated to the Park in 2018. Red Footed Tortoises can live to be around 50 - 60 years.
Reside in temperate forests, rainforests, savannahs, and dry forests.
Omnivorous, consuming a wide variety of plants (primarily fruit), and invertebrates.
Females make several nesting sites and lay between 2 to 15 eggs in each location. These eggs are incubated for 117-158 days.
Found in Central and South America.
The Park is home to 2 spadefoot toads. Did you know their name comes from the small, black 'spade' on the first toe of each hind foot, which is used to help them burrow into loose soil.
These toads live in dry areas, such as grasslands and open woodlands. They breed in ponds, marshes, slow moving creeks, and irrigation ditches.
Great basin spadefoot toads primarily feed on ants, beetles, flies, worms, crickets, and grasshoppers.
Breeding occurs between April and July. Females lay approximately 300 to 500 eggs in shallow water. Eggs hatch in 2 to 7 days and tadpoles mature in 6 to 8 weeks.
Found in the southern interior of British Columbia, as well as Oregon and Washington.
Franklin was originally found abandoned and wandering the shoreline along Shuswap Lake when a family rescued him. It is estimated that Morty was born sometime between 2013-2017. Did you know their lifespan is up to 100-140 years?
These tortoises prefer hot and dry climates, in mostly arid and mountainous regions with plenty of basking areas. They live in thorny shrubs, vegetated areas, damp areas, agricultural fields, and visible rocky bedrocks.
Marginated Tortoises are herbivorous, consuming grasses, weeds, flowers, and some fruits.
Females dig a hole with her hind legs as deep as her legs are long, and lay up to 15 eggs per clutch, and can lay up to 3 clutches per year. Incubation is 100 days, and the eggs must be safely buried underground during this time.
Mainly found in Greece from Peloponnesus to Mount Olympus; however, because of the pet trade they can be found worldwide.
Jim was an surrendered to the BC Wildlife Park in 2022. Jim is an active animal who needs lots of space to walk and climb. He is currently off public display as he's awaiting his newly expanded home; however, you can see Jim during our daily reptile encounters!
Typically found in semi-desert regions or dry woodland areas.
Bearded dragons are considered opportunistic omnivores and will eat insects, spiders, plants, small rodents, and other lizards.
Breeding typically occurs in August or September. Females are able to lay eggs as often as every 4 weeks. Eggs are incubated for approximately 40 to 70 days. The young are immediately independent after hatching.
Native to Australia, but they are now kept as pets throughout the world.
Rough-skinned newts breed in shallow bodies of water including wetlands, sloughs, and streams. Some adults are neotenic and stay in water their whole lives, while others metamorphose and live on land in forests.
Adult and larval stage newts are carnivores, eating slugs, snails, crustaceans, worms, and amphibian eggs and larvae.
Breeding most often occurs in spring. After fertilization, females lay eggs singly across the habitat. Eggs hatch after 3 to 4 weeks. Larvae metamorphose the following summer, though some individuals never fully transform.
Found along the west coast of North America from southern Alaska to northern California.
We've teamed up with local videographer, Aspect Film Works to create a series of short animal stories. These gives provide insight as to how our resident reptiles and amphibians came to reside at the BC Wildlife Park, and great conservations tips on how you can prevent reptiles and amphibians from requiring rehabilitation intervention.
Watch Animal Stories Now