- Embracing the Beauty of the Messy River
- The Black Cottonwood Tree – A River’s Unsung Hero
- The Herpetofauna’s Need for our Beautiful & ‘Messy’ Rivers
- Trout, Spawning, and High Water
- Spring Freshet: A Driving Force of the Messy River
- Birds of the Messy River: Breeding in the Chaos
- The Small Things That Hold the River Together
- Algae: Slippery Season in the Kettle and what they tell us about Watershed Health
Herpetofauna (or herptiles) are collective terms used to refer to a group of critters that includes reptiles and amphibians. Herptiles are uniquely tied to the inherent natural ‘messiness’ of our rivers and riparian areas. Few other species depend so heavily on the complex ever-changing landscape of fallen leaves, branches, and organic debris that accumulate along riverbanks and forest floors.
These dynamic riparian environments offer critical foraging opportunities. Insects lay their eggs in decomposing plant matter, overwinter as larvae, and, in turn, provide a vital food source for amphibians and reptiles. Fallen plant debris also provides essential shelter, creating movement corridors that protect herpetofauna from predators and give them places to cool off during the heat of summer.
The Kettle River Watershed is home to several species of herpetofauna. Jared Hobbs, a provincial expert on Species-at-Risk in BC, has worked in this area for over two-decades, motivated to protect and conserve the rich biodiversity unique to dry interior habitats in BC’s southern interior. Many of the herptiles (reptiles and amphibians) found in our area are threatened by habitat loss, road mortality and, in previous times, intentional persecution. Fortunately, today, these species have been recognized for their intrinsic value – we are proud to share our natural areas with these amazing species. We can still be thrilled by the rustle of a snake, lizard, frog, toad, spadefoot or salamander as it moves away from us as we walk by, and we can take pleasure in the privilege of seeing and hearing these species where we co-exist.
With the first warm days of spring each April, and the last rains of fall in September and October, you may be lucky enough to witness one of nature’s great migrations: the mass movement of amphibians. The Great Basin Spadefoot (or colloquially referred to as the spadefoot ‘toad’) is one of the first amphibian species to emerge from underground overwintering areas in grassland habitats near small ephemeral ponds. Similarly, around Wards Lake near Grand Forks, residents have observed hundreds of (Western) Tiger Salamanders traveling together, making their way from their home ponds to new habitats. Sadly, we have lost some of this vital habitat essential to the tiger salamander’s survival; most notably at Saddle Lake. Saddle Lake once teemed with Tiger Salamanders (and other amphibian species) before the intentional misguided illegal and very damaging introduction of invasive goldfish. Several spots in the West Boundary along Highway 3 have these “critter crossings” as well.
Native Turtles also rely on these riparian areas for food and temperature regulation. Basking on sun-warmed logs in wetlands and ponds is a favorite pastime of Painted Turtles as they take advantage of logs from fallen trees that create ideal resting spots.
Snakes are also highly dependent on these messy landscapes. Garter snakes (including Western Terrestrial Garter Snake and Common Garter Snake), North American Racer, Great Basin Gopher Snake, Rubber Boa and Northern Pacific Rattlesnake are all found in the Kettle River Watershed. Its exciting that this area is home to six of BC’s nine snake species!!! Each of these species rely on leaf litter and downed woody debris for cover as they hunt for frogs, insects, and small rodents. These natural materials provide protection and refuge, keeping snakes hidden from predators while also helping them regulate their body temperature throughout the changing seasons.
If you live near a creek, wetland, pond, or river its best to avoid “waste cleanup” to protect these vital ecosystems. Many insect species, including those that amphibians and reptiles depend on for food, spend the colder months in leaf litter and plant debris. Removal of natural tree and leaf litter disrupts their life cycles, unfortunately reducing an essential food source just as herpetofauna are emerging for the season. By leaving natural materials in place (at least for a little longer), we can each help to support the intricate web of life that thrives in these beautifully ‘messy’ biodiverse areas in a special area we are proud to call ‘home’.