The snakes are born or hatched in the late summer and early fall in just enough time to prepare for winter hibernation. Viviparous snakes (Rattlesnakes and Boas etc.) give birth to live babies. She will build a nest to lay the eggs in and for them to be protected. The female can lay the eggs right away or hold on to them for a while. Snakes that live in cold climates breed late in spring or early in summer. Hibernation is known to trigger breeding when groups of the same species of snakes have gathered for the winter months. When spring comes, the snakes slither off in their own direction without any problems, and many times the following fall the same snakes will return.įor some reason, scientists do not fully understand why some snakes that return to the same hibernation spot each year survive and live longer than those that don’t. Even snakes that are considered enemies will join in the gather without any incidents. Some snakes gather to hibernate and provide body heat for each other. On the other hand, this drop in body temperature allows the snakes to get warmer faster because they do not have to raise their body temperature as high as normal. Snakes do not have the ability to increase their metabolic rates for heat generation. The snake’s metabolic rate drops sharply, and its body temperature decreases to about 35 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit. What Happens to Snakes During Hibernation They also take up residence in stone walls, homes, and building foundations any crack they can slither in to stay warm for the winter months works for them. Snakes also hibernate in caves, underground dens and they will also steal the dens of other animals such as chipmunks and woodchucks (snakes do not have the ability to dig their own underground or above ground burrow to hide out in. This is just one simple way to build a shelter for snakes or even other small animals. Ideally, placing this near a water table is a good idea, because if snakes cannot find the water they will dehydrate and can die. Blocks and dirt are all you’ll need.ĭig a hole below the frost line, place the blocks inside and at different levels, and place the dirt around the sides and a layer on top with an opening for air and for the snakes to get a drink of water. It’s extremely and easy and quick to build a hibernaculum. I build a few hibernaculum’s each year so all the garter snakes and any other species that happen to come along have a nice warm place to hibernate. Some people, such as myself, who have a lot of lands and large gardens also have a lot of garter snakes. Some snakes spend the winter months in a hibernaculum (means winter quarters.) The snakes search for a warm place to hibernate. While snakes do seek out and drink water during hibernation, they do not eat because their digestion stops, and any food will sit in their stomachs and rot, making them very ill or causing them to die. It usually occurs in mid to late fall depending on where they are located – climate-wise. They begin eating a lot during this period. Snakes can sense when the temperatures begin to drop. While their bodies use almost no energy, they can still lose some of their body fat. This helps them to stay alive during hibernation. Therefore, they do not hibernate.īefore the snakes enter hibernation, they try to fill their bellies and gain some body fat. Snakes that live in tropical settings or pets that live in a vivarium with a consistently warm temperature are not affected by the cold weather. I breed snakes and hibernation is an important part of the process.
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