Despite the lack of venomous snakes in the state, Maine is home to a wide range of non-venomous snake species, such as eastern ribbons, western ribbons, eastern garters, and common garters, all of which are essential to the local environment.
These snake species are frequently found near six large lakes in Maine, which are perfect environments for them since they provide a wealth of food items, including insects, small fish, and frogs.
West Grand Lake
In addition to wetter places like streams, bogs, and marshes, snakes like the Common Gartersnake favor a range of habitats, such as brushy fields, meadows, grasslands, ancient buildings, rock outcrops, and forested uplands.
These semi-aquatic snakes prefer habitats where they may swim and lounge on rocks close to water for hunting.
These ideal conditions are made possible by the diversified shoreline of West Grand Lake, which also provides a variety of habitats for snakes to thrive in.
The lakeside probably contains plenty of sunny rocks, logs, and other structures where snakes can bask to warm themselves because they are cold-blooded animals that depend on the sun to control their body temperature.
Androscoggin Lake
The lake’s varied ecosystem, which includes deep waters, shorelines, and marshy sections, is ideal for a number of snake species, including the Northern Water Snake. Since they can typically be found anywhere there is water, lakes like Androscoggin are ideal for this species.
With a significant presence in the Northeast and Midwest, the Northern Water Snake is especially prevalent in the eastern portion of the United States.
There are plenty of these snakes in the lake, and they are not threatened because they are widespread and numerous in their natural environments. Snakes use Androscoggin Lake’s aqueous habitats to hunt amphibians, small fish, and other prey.
Sebago Lake
Although snake sightings are rare, the lake’s vastness and diverse nature make it an ideal habitat for these ferocious creatures. The lake is home to numerous species of butterfly, moth, frog, Belted Kingfisher, cicadas, Great Blue Herons, and Cedar Waxwings.
Another species that can be found here is the Eastern Ribbon Snake.
These semi-aquatic snakes are nimble swimmers that prefer wetland environments and are frequently found close to lakes, ponds, and marshes.
Because they mostly eat small fish and amphibians, Sebago’s abundant biodiversity makes it the perfect place for them to hunt.
Great Pond
The shallow, marshy edges of Great Pond provide ample cover and a multitude of opportunities for hunting small aquatic creatures.
The Eastern Ribbon Snake and other cold-blooded reptiles depend on the perfect basking conditions that the warm, bright days surrounding the pond provide.
These snakes, like other snakes, are said to prey mostly on amphibians, tiny fish, and invertebrates, which are abundant around the pond’s edges.
Ribbon snakes like places with lots of cover, such as the long grasses, cattails, and shrubs that line the shores of Great Pond. These regions provide ideal locations for hunting, hiding, and sunbathing.
Union River
This area is also home to the semi-aquatic Ribbon Snake, which lives in bogs, shrub swamps, forested wetlands, wet meadows, streams, and the borders of ponds and lakes.
The ideal conditions for these snakes to feed and conceal are found along the borders of these ecosystems, where there are many amphibians and dense vegetation.
The southern and south-central parts of Maine are home to the majority of the state’s ribbon snakes.
Unfortunately, the snake’s wetland-upland ecology puts it at even greater risk because riparian and upland habitats surrounding smaller wetlands are not sufficiently protected by legislation.
Final Thoughts
