Capture-mark-recapture surveys have been underway at the largest known concentration in the province, Grafton Lake, Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site to document basic population biology and structure, observe snake behaviour and locate and characterize overwintering sites, summer feeding areas, and seasonal travel routes.
These surveys require intensive work, particularly in spring (April-May) and fall (Sept-Oct) as we try to track the snakes to their overwintering sites. To accomplish this we use the help of trained researchers and volunteers. Groups go out for 2-4 hours each day and slowly walk along the shoreline looking for ribbonsnakes. We attempt to capture all snakes sighted to identify individuals. Snakes are released at the capture site generally within 10 minutes of capture.