When do snakes come out of hibernation?

fredg · Mar 27, 2006, 01:17 PM

Hi,
We live in the Great Smokey Mountains of VA.
Snakes cannot maintain their own body temperature, so they depend on warm and cool places to be. If they start feeling warm, they must find a cool place to be, so they can cool off. If they are cold, then conversely, they have to find a warm place.
They hibernate below the frost line, as in deep crevices in rocks in the mountains, or where ever.
They usually start coming out here when the frosts are over. Garter snakes usually come out first. When the temperature early in the morning starts staying above around 34 degrees F., it's usually a couple of weeks after that, when it's warmer during the day.
We haven't reached that yet, with frost still this morning.

RickJ · Mar 27, 2006, 02:37 PM

Yeah, I was sure it was some point after the last frost, but of course the water in creeks and rivers stays very cold for quite some-time after that...we're not finding any yet. Days are getting warmer round here so I'm eager to get back out and play with some snakes!

Here's the biggie we found from last year, the pic is a neighbor kid who was with us...and very afraid of snakes until we showed him how tame they can be once they get used to being held...he was the proudest kid on the block!:
http://www.jackson8.com/mohammed.jpg

(That's a Northern Water Snake)

Cgirl · Mar 27, 2006, 02:45 PM

When do snakes come out of hibernation? Hopefully never!

j/k
But seriously, my understanding is that they come out after the last frost of the season when it's warmer. They do not like the cold. I will probably have to deal with this someday, as I have a son who is just one, but I'm sure my husband will encourage him to look for snakes and when the time comes that he brings one in the house to show mommy, I will try not to scream!

RickJ · Mar 27, 2006, 03:12 PM

What state are you in, Cgirl? I'll get you the scoop on the snakes of your area if you like.

miracle229 · Oct 17, 2008, 05:07 PM

Usually snakes come out of hibernation during somewhere about summer or spring

pickett · Feb 20, 2011, 04:06 PM

I live in Alabama and it is February and we have had 2 weeks of warm weather, I am sure the cold will return but will the snakes come out of hybernation for these warm weeks.

RickJ · Feb 21, 2011, 05:52 AM

Some might come out of hibernation if it is too warm for too long... And if it gets real cold again, many of them will die.

Magnolia75 · Apr 7, 2011, 10:30 AM

It is April 7, 2011 in South Western Wisconsin and the snakes are out! Just saw 18 of them in the backyard. Not sure how we feel about it other than we are happy we live on the second floor! Wondering and hoping they don't know how to climb! Just kidding! Very fasinating! Wondering if this is a once in a life time thing or did we just hit it at the right time?

RickJ · Apr 7, 2011, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magnolia75

It is April 7, 2011 in South Western Wisconsin and the snakes are out! Just saw 18 of them in the backyard. Not sure how we feel about it other than we are happy we live on the second floor! Wondering and hoping they don't know how to climb! Just kidding! Very fasinating! Wondering if this is a once in a life time thing or did we just hit it at the right time?

My guess is that warm weather or sunny days are just hitting you. That's what brings them out of hibernation.

I've learned a lot since first posting this thread: If you will share some pictures, I'll help you identify what they are, if you are interested.

When do snakes come out of hibernation?

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