The reptiles and amphibians of Lake Huron dune systems include one of Ontario’s most interesting reptiles, the Eastern Hog-nosed Snake.  The Hog-nosed snake is provincially rare and has recently been designated as Threatened in Canada and Ontario.  It is found mainly in sandy habitats, and inhabits the dunes in the Pinery – Port Franks and Wasaga Beach areas. 

When startled, the Hog-nosed Snake raises its body threateningly, flattens its head into a cobra-like hood and hisses.  It will sometimes strike an intruder, but always with its mouth closed!  If this fails to frighten you, the snake will writhe and convulse, flop onto its back, and pretend to be dead.  When it perceives that danger has passed, the snake will calmly slither away as if nothing had happened.  The main prey of Hognose snake is the American Toad, which is probably the most common amphibian on the dunes of Lake Huron.  Eastern Gartersnakes, Northern Watersnakes, Spring Peepers and Gray Treefrogs are also found in dune systems that have wetlands nearby, and salamanders of the Ambystoma genus are known from dune-associated wetlands in the Pinery area. 

Most of Ontario’s turtle species seek out loose, sandy soils on warm, south-facing slopes to lay their clutches of eggs.  Dunes are therefore ideal egg-laying sites for turtles (as well as egg-laying snakes, such as the Hog-nosed Snake).  Turtle species known to lay their eggs on Lake Huron dunes include Midland Painted Turtle, Common Snapping Turtle and the threatened Stinkpot (also known as the Common Musk Turtle).
The Endangered Blue Racer formerly occurred in the Pinery – Port Franks area, but has not been found there in recent decades and is probably extirpated.  It likely occurred in the dune habitats as well as adjacent woodlands.

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Author of www.pitchersthistle.ca: Jarmo Jalava, 2005

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