Submitted by Kwiaht.

The islands’ nonprofit conservation biology laboratory Kwiaht is celebrating 2025, the lunar Year of the Snake, by inviting islanders to help us name the snakes we have been monitoring here since 2019. This unique opportunity will extend through the 2024 Christmas holidays and continue through the lunar New Year that begins on Jan. 29.

Common sharp-tailed snakes, which occur along the West Coast and British Columbia, are state-listed as one of Washington’s “Species of Greatest Conservation Need,” as well as a “Priority Species” under the state’s Wildlife Priority Habitat and Species Program. This species is small (usually less than a foot long) and spends much of the year underground, making them a rare find and a challenge to study. As such, there are numerous gaps in our knowledge of the species – gaps that Kwiaht researchers are hoping to address by studying our island populations. San Juan Island and Orcas Island are home to two of the most actively studied populations in Washington. Kwiaht herpetologist Christian Oldham is documenting the seasonal activities of both populations, and both prey and snake DNA samples are being analyzed at Kwiaht’s Lopez Island laboratory. The main goals of this research are to investigate the ecology of our island populations, including prey identification and the degree of “relatedness” between island populations and mainland snakes. A significant portion of our research thus far has been funded privately by islanders.

Using unique markings and pigment patterns (similar to the way in which observers are able to identify individual “killer whales”), Kwiaht’s research team has identified dozens of free-living, rare sharp-tailed snakes on San Juan Island. For now, each snake is identified by a “mug shot” of scale patterns and a code number. You can help support and promote this ongoing, expanding study by naming a snake for a $100 donation toward San Juan Island snake research! You will receive a certificate of appreciation featuring the snake you’ve named, its original code number and photos. You can ask that the certificate be issued in the name of a special person (other than yourself) so that it can be made a unique holiday gift.

Here’s how to donate and name a snake. Visit www.kwiaht.org/snakes.htm to view the mug shots of snakes that are awaiting their new names and download a fillable PDF entry form. Add your contact details to the form, together with your proposed names for up to three snakes in order of preference (if we are unable to accept the first name proposed, we will move down your list of names – one snake will be named per entry), and return the completed form as an email attachment, or by USPS mail. Be sure to indicate on the entry form whether you are making your donation for snake research online at www.kwiaht.org/donate.htm or by check. If, for any reason, we are unable to accept any of the (up to) three names you propose, we will contact you for alternatives. Kwiaht will mail you your certificate along with additional photos of the snake that you’ve named.

Kwiaht’s website and social media will highlight sightings of named snakes and you are invited to check in for new sightings of specific snakes by contacting us directly. Life expectancy within this sharp-tailed snake population is currently uncertain but may be five to seven years in the wild, and possibly longer. Your donation will go toward continued surveys, genetic population analyses and genetic prey analyses. You will also have the option of being personally recognized in future research presentations and written publications.

Kwiaht is also looking for volunteer homeowners to host plywood “Artificial Cover Objects” that tend to attract snakes through spring and early summer. The current study area is limited to about 50 acres, but similar habitats remain unstudied elsewhere on San Juan Island. Sharp-tailed snakes appear to prefer relatively undisturbed forest-edge environments that provide them with a slug-heavy diet.