Stray snake travels through Saskatchewan school

A new resident slithered into Shaunavon, Sask. last month. After making a brief appearance at a local school, it was quickly determined that he should head for greener pastures. Or, any pasture for that matter.

Tyy Pappenfus, Conservation Officer with the Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety explains, “On September 9 I got a call from a resident in town. A snake had been spotted on 9th Street West. It was determined that it was a young bull snake, about two feet long. I gave instructions to the homeowner on how to put it in a pail using a hockey stick.”

Pappenfus then picked up the snake and contacted local schools to offer a learning opportunity for students. Christ the King School invited the Officer and snake to stop by for a classroom presentation. Before long, each classroom was asking for a visit due to the snake’s popularity.

“The kids were excited to see it,” says Pappenfus, “I think some of them thought it was gross and didn’t like it, but they didn’t let on. All the classrooms ended up asking to see it. It’s great to interact with students about it. I explained what it was, why they are good for the environment and made sure the kids know not to be afraid of them.”

Bull snakes are often mistaken for rattlesnakes due to the similar ‘rattle’ sound they make as a defense mechanism. Rattlesnakes are very rare in southwest Saskatchewan with a small population in the Grasslands near Val Marie and a slightly larger population north of Leader. Bull snakes are non venomous and Conservation Officers ask the public to leave them alone as they are a valuable part of the ecosystem due to their reputation as a great gopher and rodent predator.

There have been other recent sightings of wildlife in town including a badger and a porcupine. Pappenfus says, “Sometimes a wild animal will find itself in town limits as they search for food or shelter. If you see a wild animal in town, just let them move along on their own.” Other ways to minimize the chances of negative interactions is by ensuring that you manage your garbage and compost bins and remove pet food from outdoor areas. He adds, “It’s always better to be safe than sorry, so be sure to call the Inquiry Centre or TIPP (Turn in Poachers and Polluters) line if you are concerned, and a Conservation Officer will be dispatched.” You should also report any suspected wildlife, fisheries or environmental violations to the TIPP line.

Inquiry Centre: 306-787-2584

TIPP line: 1-800-667-7561

When asked what a person should NOT do if they encounter wildlife in town, Pappenfus advises, “Don’t corner them. Make sure any pets in the vicinity are placed somewhere safe and then give us a call. We will help it move along if we can find it.”

After its visit with the school children, the bull snake was released in a pasture south of Shaunavon where it could find a more suitable home and plenty of food options.

This story was originally published in The Shaunavon Standard . It is republished under a Creative Commons license as part of the Local Journalism Initiative.