A sneaky little snake has been rescued from a house in the Okanagan and will spend the rest of the winter in the care of the Interior Wildlife Rehabilitation Society.

The juvenile Great Basin Gopher Snake was found active and indoors during the winter and must be kept at the rehabilitation centre until the weather warms up, said Eva Hartmann, the founder of the Summerland-based non-profit organization.

Wild snakes in the Okanagan are supposed to find a cozy place to brumate during the chilly weather. Brumation is a state of inactivity, similar to hibernation.

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Hartmann said that the wildlife rehabilitation society had to obtain special permission in order to care for the snake since it is considered a threatened species in B.C.

鈥淚f our local snake populations continue to be threatened by human pressures (urban development, agriculture, vehicles), they could face extinction and be gone from this area forever,鈥� said Hartmann.

鈥淐o-existence is key.鈥�

There are seven species of snake that call the Okanagan home. To learn more about snake biology and behaviour visit

鈥淧eople who take the opportunity to better understand snakes find them fascinating animals,鈥� said Hartmann.

IWRS is not government-funded and is run exclusively on volunteers and donations. To learn more and to donate visit

To contact the organization email info@interiorwildlife.ca.

If you find a wild animal in need, call one of the IWRS鈥� veterinary clinic partners, listed at to arrange a drop-off.

To report a wildlife emergency call the Conservation Services of BC at 1(877)952-7277.

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