Where Do Snakes Spend the Winter?
Some tropical snakes never hibernate. In climates with harsh winter temperatures all cold-blooded animals need to seek refuge from extreme temperatures. The vast majority of snakes utilize existing burrows of mammals or rotted tree trunks etc. Some species will utilize rocky outcroppings where available to over winter. There are several documented species, including the Hognose Snake that will burrow down into soft soil and spend the winter a few inches below the surface. The metabolism of the snake slows down substantially with a heart rate barely detectable. The snakes of northern climates such as Canada are often underground for over 9 months per year! One amazing hibernation story is the Garter Snakes of Manitoba, Canada. Thousands of Red sided garter snakes enter limestone caves to seek shelter below the frost line in an area that can experience harsh winter weather. This is the largest gathering of snakes anywhere in the world. A mass exodus occurs when spring temperatures warm e
