Learn to Draw: Western Rattlesnakes
Learn to Draw: Western Rattlesnakes
Webinar | November 5th, 2025 at 1:00 PM (PT)
Join us for our spookiest Learn to Draw of the school year. For this webinar, we will talk about the only true venomous snake species in British Columbia: the western rattlesnake. These spicy slithering snakes are one of many threatened species in the Okanagan.
This snake thrives in rocky outcrops in the valleys of British Columbia. Despite popular belief, these rattlesnakes are non-aggressive in nature. It is very rare for humans to die from an attack by a western rattlesnake. By nature, these creatures are passive predators that prefer to attack prey through camouflaging in their surroundings and striking.
Scientific Illustrator Dr. Julius Csotonyi will walk us through a detailed drawing of these snakes, while talking a bit about the importance of this species to their ecosystems. We will learn more about rattlesnakes and form deeper understandings of the pressures they face during this drawing discussion.
Register today!
Meet the Speakers
Dr. Julius Csotonyi
Dr. Julius Csotonyi is a scientific illustrator and natural history fine artist. He has a scientific background in ecology (MSc) and microbiology (PhD) which has taken him to study sensitive ecosystems, from sand dunes in the Rocky Mountain parks to hydrothermal vents at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean.
These experiences have fuelled a strong resolve to work toward preserving the earth’s biota. Painting biological subjects is one means that he uses to both enhance public awareness of biological diversity and to motivate concern for its welfare.
He paints murals and panels that have appeared in numerous museums (e.g. the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History), press release images for scientific publications, books, stamp sets (e.g. the 2018 “Sharks of Canada” set for Canada Post), and coins for the Royal Canadian Mint. His work is viewable on his online gallery, http://csotonyi.com
Photo Credits: Jared Hobbs