Biologists rush to help Montreal snake species threatened by real-estate boom
MONTREAL — A Quebec biologist is highlighting the need to save some of Montreal’s open areas from development in order to protect a rare snake that is found nowhere in the province except in the Greater Montreal area.
The Ecomuseum Zoo recently finished installing hibernation caves and shelters in three nature parks in an effort to help the brown snake, whose grassy habitat is threatened by a real-estate construction boom.
Biologist Pierre-Alexandre Bourgeois said the 39 rock shelters and three caves will help the small reptile hide from predators, hibernate and catch its prey, which mostly consists of slugs, snails and earthworms.
But he says more action will be needed in the long term to protect Quebec’s “most urban snake,” whose habitat includes the open lots which are increasingly being snapped up for developers.