Prince Edward Island wildlife officials are asking Islanders to take home, bag and freeze any dead smooth green snakes they find so the animals can be collected for conservation research. The rare reptiles, once common across parts of North America, are P.E.I.’s rarest reptile and currently listed as “potentially imperilled.”
Why physical specimens are needed
Historically, authorities asked the public only to report live sightings. Provincial biologists now say genetic testing of physical specimens is necessary to better understand the health of the Island population. Studying dead animals will help researchers estimate genetic diversity — an important measure of a population’s resilience.
“We’d love if you could place it in a plastic bag and put it in your freezer,”
That request came from Julie-Lynn Zahavich, a forest conservation specialist with P.E.I.’s Forests, Fish and Wildlife division. She asked Islanders to contact the division by telephone or through its Facebook page once a specimen is secured so staff can arrange collection.
What to look for — and what it looks like after death
Smooth green snakes on P.E.I. typically measure between 30 and 50 centimetres in length and are associated with grassy habitats. The living snakes are green, but the province notes a striking change after death: the bodies can appear bright blue, which may surprise anyone who expects a green-coloured carcass.
Officials say time matters. Scavengers such as crows, ravens and foxes may remove carcasses quickly, and delays can reduce the usefulness of specimens for genetic work. If residents are uncomfortable handling dead animals, they are asked to provide detailed location information as soon as possible so staff can try to retrieve the specimen.
- Place the dead snake in a plastic bag.
- Put the bagged specimen in your freezer.
- Contact the P.E.I. Forests, Fish and Wildlife division by telephone or Facebook for collection.
- If you won’t handle the animal, report the exact location immediately.
Conservation context and local impact
Smooth green snakes are considered rare on Prince Edward Island, and gaining genetic information from multiple individuals will help clarify how isolated or connected the Island population is to mainland populations. Zahavich told reporters that populations with higher genetic diversity tend to better adapt to environmental changes — a key concern for small or fragmented populations.
The province has previously relied on public reports of live sightings to track the species. The shift toward collecting carcasses reflects a need for direct biological material to run laboratory tests that sightings alone cannot provide.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Typical length | 30–50 cm |
| Habitat | Grassy areas |
| Provincial status | Potentially imperilled |
| Colour after death | Bright blue |
For Islanders who regularly spend time in suitable habitats — such as field edges, meadows and roadsides — awareness of this request could make a measurable difference to the provincial study. Officials say even a small number of specimens, collected and preserved quickly, can provide useful data for determining genetic diversity and guiding future conservation actions.
Residents with questions about handling a specimen or how to make a report should consult the P.E.I. Forests, Fish and Wildlife division’s official channels for the most current contact information and guidance.
This appeal is part of ongoing efforts by provincial wildlife staff to better understand and protect species at risk or of conservation concern on the Island. Collecting information — and, in this case, physical material — from the public remains a key tool for small jurisdictions seeking to fill knowledge gaps about local wildlife.
