How to identify the five snake species that live in Nova Scotia.

	Garter Snake mostly brown, with yellow or grey usually two rows of square dark spots in a checkerboard pattern on each side sometimes a pale grey or yellow stripe along the lower sides usually tries to bite when first picked up typically 30 - 60 cm long all over Nova Scotia; in many habitats; active in daytime
	Ribbon Snake velvety-black on the back and sides brownish-yellow stripe down the middle of the back greenish-yellow strip down both lower sides only known from Queens and Lunenburg counties likes to be in vegetation along quiet pond edges
	Ringneck Snake black head, slate-grey or bluish-black on back and sides yellow-orange ring around the neck small, secretive woodland snake
	Green Snake our only green coloured snake active in daytime common in grass, bushes or lawns
	Redbelly Snake brown on top, orange to orange- red belly small snake usually hides under things during the day