Wet weather creates great environment for snakes
Edmonton’s wet weather is creating the perfect conditions for the city’s snake population to flourish, says a local reptile expert. Peter Daly, a biological technologist with the City of Edmonton, said frogs, slugs and worms all love wet environments, which in turn means more items on the menu for garter snakes.
“It means snakes have a lot to feed on and with it being hot, it means they have the opportunity to be more active and range a little farther since they are cold-blooded.” Daly said the garter snake is usually found near water, including the city’s river valley, and they are excellent swimmers.
The most common snake in Edmonton is the western red-sided garter snake which can grow to more than one metre in length. It is distinguished by red-sided markings and dark green colouring. The garter snake is not harmful to humans, but they do bite. Daly said a bite from this kind of snake feels like velcro or grabbing a thistle. And while garter snakes technically have venom, he said the amount is not dangerous to humans, only fish and frogs. Read more at https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/snakes-in-edmonton
Pine marten a natural tree climber
The pine marten is found throughout Canada in mature boreal forests of conifers, including Edmonton’s river valley. This photo was taken in Kinnaird Ravine this April. Befitting its arboreal tendency, the marten has sharp, curved, and semi-retractable claws.
They are long and slender animals with a broad head tapering to a sharp nose. The eyes are large and black, and the ears are large and rounded like a cat. Martens have long, shiny, silky fur. The head is grey, legs and tail are very dark brown or black, the chest has a cream-colored patch, and the back is light brown.
Its diet consists primarily of small mammals, including squirrels and rodents. As an opportunistic feeder, they will eat birds, fruit, nuts, insects, and carrion. However, the marten is also an aggressive predator, and can kill the much larger snowshoe hares.
Few predators can match the quickness and agility of the adult marten, although the young are vulnerable to carnivores like owls. Learn more at https://naturecanada.ca/news/blog/get-to-know-the-pine-marten/
What is a tree museum
Could one describe Edmonton’s river valley as a living tree museum? Should we consider a place for old or unique trees growing outside of the river valley to be securely preserved?
In 2010, the Enea Tree Museum in Switzerland opened to the public. It features over 50 trees, representing more than 25 varieties, some of which are over 100 years old. The tree collection consists exclusively of species from the local climate zone. More trees and plants stand in the park that surrounds the tree museum. On the entire site there are over 3000 trees and shrubs.
Since 2013, contemporary sculptures by renowned artists are also exhibited in the park and surroundings. The tree museum and sculpture park offer a unique experience for both garden lovers and those interested in art. More photos at https://www.enea.ch/baummuseum/?lang=en Share river valley event, job posting, or news
If you have a river valley event, job posting, or news that you would like to see published in this newsletter, please send the info to nsrivervalley@gmail.com
Sincerely yours,
Harvey Voogd
North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society
780.691.1712
nsrivervalley@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/NSRVCS/
http://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/