Open Grassland: Amphibians and Reptiles

Mammals

Birds

Arthropods

Plants

Bryophytes/Lichen

Racer

This is a smooth greyish-brown snake with large scales and round eyes that is found as far north as the Thompson valley. Hunting with its head held up, it feeds on lizards, snakes, frogs, birds and their eggs. It earned the name "Racer" because it moves very fast and is hard to catch.

Western Rattlesnake

A triangular head, vertical pupils and rattle on the tail are characteristic features of the only venomous snake in British Columbia. Rattlers feed on small animals such as mice, squirrels and rabbits, and hibernate in rocky areas during the winter. They only rattle when disturbed.

Want to find out about species at risk in open grasslands?
Go to Species at Risk

Here are some more representative species in open grasslands:

Common Terrestrial Garter Snake
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake
Blue:
Great Basin Spadefoot Toad
Racer
Red:
Gopher Snake
Night Snake
Tiger Salamander
Western Skink
Western Rattlesnake
Extirpated:
Pigmy Short-horned Lizard

Click here to return to Grasslands Communities and Habitats