Rare species of endangered snake discovered on B.C’s Lasqueti Island
An iNaturalist sighting confirmed the endangered species, and researchers say the find extends its known range by more than 60 kilometres.
- The rare sharp-tailed snake has been confirmed on Lasqueti Island, a secretive, endangered species that spends most of its life underground burrowed into rotting logs or tree stumps.
- In 2024 and 2025, the Sharp-tailed Snake Recovery Team and ecological consultant Laura Matthias collaborated with Parks and the Lasqueti Island Nature Conservancy to set up artificial cover objects to locate the reptiles.
- Researchers monitor these ACOs during spring and fall when snakes are most active; the first check in September 2025 yielded northern alligator lizards, confirming the covers effectively attract reptiles.
- This confirmation, based on an INaturalist observation, extends the species' known range by more than 60 kilometres; previously, the snake inhabited only the southern Gulf Islands and southern Vancouver Island, reaching no further north than Ladysmith.
- These endangered snakes, considered red-listed, face significant survival challenges including habitat loss, development, and predation. On Lasqueti Island, feral sheep have grazed most ground vegetation, leaving limited habitat for local wildlife.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Rare species of endangered snake discovered on B.C’s Lasqueti Island - Creston Valley Advance
The unique and rare sharp-tailed snake has been confirmed on Lasqueti Island. The endangered and secretive species spends most of its life underground burrowed into rotting logs or tree stumps, according to a post by Laura Matthias, ecological consultant, on the BC Parks Blog. A May 2023 observation on INaturalist has since been confirmed and extends the species’ known range by more than 60 kilometres. Previously the snake was known to live on t…
Rare species of endangered snake discovered on B.C’s Lasqueti Island - Fort St. James Caledonia Courier
The unique and rare sharp-tailed snake has been confirmed on Lasqueti Island. The endangered and secretive species spends most of its life underground burrowed into rotting logs or tree stumps, according to a post by Laura Matthias, ecological consultant, on the BC Parks Blog. A May 2023 observation on INaturalist has since been confirmed and extends the species’ known range by more than 60 kilometres. Previously the snake was known to live on t…
Rare species of endangered snake discovered on B.C’s Lasqueti Island - Grand Forks Gazette
The unique and rare sharp-tailed snake has been confirmed on Lasqueti Island. The endangered and secretive species spends most of its life underground burrowed into rotting logs or tree stumps, according to a post by Laura Matthias, ecological consultant, on the BC Parks Blog. A May 2023 observation on INaturalist has since been confirmed and extends the species’ known range by more than 60 kilometres. Previously the snake was known to live on t…
Rare species of endangered snake discovered on B.C’s Lasqueti Island - Vanderhoof Omineca Express
The unique and rare sharp-tailed snake has been confirmed on Lasqueti Island. The endangered and secretive species spends most of its life underground burrowed into rotting logs or tree stumps, according to a post by Laura Matthias, ecological consultant, on the BC Parks Blog. A May 2023 observation on INaturalist has since been confirmed and extends the species’ known range by more than 60 kilometres. Previously the snake was known to live on t…
Rare species of endangered snake discovered on B.C’s Lasqueti Island - Northern Sentinel
The unique and rare sharp-tailed snake has been confirmed on Lasqueti Island. The endangered and secretive species spends most of its life underground burrowed into rotting logs or tree stumps, according to a post by Laura Matthias, ecological consultant, on the BC Parks Blog. A May 2023 observation on INaturalist has since been confirmed and extends the species’ known range by more than 60 kilometres. Previously the snake was known to live on t…
Penticton Western News
Rare species of endangered snake discovered on B.C’s Lasqueti Island
The unique and rare sharp-tailed snake has been confirmed on Lasqueti Island. The endangered and secretive species spends most of its life underground burrowed into rotting logs or tree stumps, according to a post by Laura Matthias, ecological consultant, on the BC Parks Blog. A May 2023 observation on INaturalist has since been confirmed and extends the species’ known range by more than 60 kilometres. Previously the snake was known to live on t…
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