MONTGOMERY-There is little doubt that snakes are not typically in the “most beloved” group of animals as ranked by state’s populace. As beneficial and beautiful as snakes may be, there is a significant number of people who just don’t like snakes. Many newcomers to Alabama are shocked by the number of snake species found within the state, especially the number of venomous snakes, but some may take some solace that the snakes will “hibernate” during the winter. Little do they know…….
Anyone who has experienced a winter in Alabama knows that winters are quite mild here. You can be bundled up one day for twenty-degree weather and running around outside in shorts just a few days later. The average high temperature in Mobile for January is 60°F and in Huntsville it is only ten degrees cooler at 50°F. And it is during those warm Alabama winter days that all its creatures can be active—even the snakes.
First, reptiles don’t hibernate. That term is more correctly applied to mammals. “Brumation” is the term applied to reptiles when they enter periods of inactivity due to cold weather. Reptiles are essentially forced into brumation as the temperatures drop. A snake or any reptile’s body temperature is primarily determined by the temperature of its external environment. When snakes sense a drop in temperature, they will seek out a place to shelter during cool and cold spells when temperatures fall below 50°F. Stump holes, under logs, forest litter, and burrows of other animals including the gopher tortoise are all used by various snakes and lizards. But even during cold spells, sunny days will bring the animals out to soak up the sun.
Curiously, as much as snakes or reptiles dislike the cold they are just as averse to hot weather as well. During the hottest days of summer, snakes will avoid exposed sunny sites and seek relief in the shade or other shaded hideaways. Exceedingly elevated body temperatures are just as deadly as extremely low body temperatures. Snakes are typically shy, retreating creatures by nature and while cold weather may drive them out of sight, in Alabama that doesn’t last long though.
To familiarize yourself with the native snake species found in Alabama, check out Alabama Outdoor’s Watchable Wildlife page.
Media Release/Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
