Snakes in the Fall

Fall is a great time of year to find snakes in the wild. As temperatures drop snakes will come out to sun themselves on warm rocks or pavements. Snakes are of course ectothermic, or cold-blooded, animals and have to rely on their surroundings to control their body temperature. So, if you see a snake out in the open it is likely just basking in the sun.

Snakes are also on the move to get to the location where they hibernate for the winter, called a hibernacula. This can be a cave, deep crevice, or old building foundation that is below the frost line. Snakes use the same site year after year, and there may be thousands over-wintering together in the same hibernacula.



Ball pythons are native to Africa so there is no need for them to hibernate. They are also nocturnal so you wouldn't usually find them basking in the sun. Jolene spends most of her time sleeping on top of the under tank heater mat to stay warm.