Four species of reptiles, representing 2 orders and 2 families are known to occur on campus:
ORDER TESTUDINES, FAMILY EMYDIDAE
Western Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta bellii)
Photo: Ian Walker
Location: Adjacent to the Learning Garden, UBC Okanagan (15 May 2019)
The Western Painted Turtle is a blue-listed species in British Columbia, and our only native turtle. The orange-red markings on the underside of the shell are distinctive. This species can be seen in Redwing Pond (behind the EME building), at Robert Lake, and in Tutt Pond (south of the landfill).
A somewhat similar species, the Red-eared Slider is often raised as a pet and illegally released into the wild, where they usually die. As the name suggests, the most distinctive feature of the Red-Eared Slider is the red marking on either side of its head. Red-eared sliders also lack the bright orange-red markings that our native Painted Turtles display on the underside of the shell.
ORDER SQUAMATA, FAMILY COLUBRIDAE
Common Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis)
Photo: Bob Lalonde
Location: UBC Okanagan
The Common Garter Snake, as its name suggests, is a common snake and the most widely distributed snake species in British Columbia. It may be seen while walking along campus trails, including Quail Ridge Linear Park. The subspecies occurring in our area of British Columbia is known as the Valley Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis fitchi).
We don't have any records, but a closely related species, the Wandering Terrestrial Garter Snake, may also occur on campus, and some care is required to distinguish the two species.
ORDER SQUAMATA, FAMILY COLUBRIDAE
Rubber Boa (Charina bottae)
Photo: Bob Lalonde
Location: UBC Okanagan (9 Oct 2018)
The Rubber Boa is less common. In B.C., it's distribution is limited to southern parts of the province.
Little is known about its distribution on campus. The snake in this photo was found on a sidewalk close to one the campus residences.
ORDER SQUAMATA, FAMILY COLUBRIDAE
Western Yellow-bellied Racer (Coluber constrictor)
Photo: Bob Lalonde
Location: UBC Okanagan
The Western Yellow-bellied Racer is a blue-listed species in British Columbia, restricted to the dry southern interior of the province.
Little is known about its distribution on campus, but they have been found in the woodlands north of the campus residences (and in the talons of a red-tailed hawk flying overhead). They have also been seen on the UBC Okanagan campus, on the dry, rocky ridge (Coyote Ridge) on the northwest side of Robert Lake.