This temperature change also means that reptiles can’t digest food for the whole winter. While their metabolism does decrease, the drop is forced by the cold weather since reptiles can’t create their own body heat. For instance, brumation is another, special kind of dormancy that snakes and other reptiles use. While hibernation is often used to describe any animal that goes into dormancy in the winter, there are three very specific requirements for an animal to be considered a true hibernator: reduced metabolism, slower heart rate, and lowered body temperature.Ī much broader array of animals experience forms of dormancy other than true hibernation. These environmental stressors cause a wide variety of animals to go into a state of dormancy. There’s less food and it is intensely cold. There are lots of different kinds of dormancy. That’s because hibernation is a really specific kind of dormancy.ĭormancy describes an animal that has slowed down its bodily functions for a little while, but hibernation has some very specific rules. There’s less food and it is intensely cold.ĭid your teacher ever tell you that every square is a rectangle, but not every rectangle is a square? Similarly, hibernation is a type of dormancy, but not all dormant animals hibernate. Depending on what's available, snakes may use caves, crevices, rocky hillsides, tree hollows, burrows and abandoned mammal dens.Winter has two big problems for animals. Some snakes remain solitary while in their den, while others, notably some gartersnakes (which we’ll get to below), prefer to overwinter in groups. Snake hibernacula are quite diverse, since different species have different preferences. The scientific term for a den that is used by any animal for a period of dormancy is called a hibernaculum. Once freezing temperatures hit for good, however, it’s time to stay in the den until springtime. This rise prompts the snake to move out of its den and into the warmth. Snakes will barely eat, let alone drink, until a rise in temperature presents itself. Their bodily functions happen in slow motion to conserve maximum energy. They are awake but at a low consciousness. When in brumation, snakes don’t take a deep, prolonged nap. Technically, snakes don't hibernate, but survive winter through a process called brumation. It’s commonly observed by some mammals, such as woodchucks, in winter. Now, hold on a second…How do Canada's snakes survive our winter? By hibernation, of course.īy definition, hibernation decreases the metabolic rate of an organism over a prolonged period of time. This means that they rely on external temperatures to warm up and regulate their metabolic activities. Unless you happen to be a rodent or other small animal at meal time, you have nothing to worry about.Īnother interesting characteristic that applies to all reptiles is that snakes are cold-blooded. They would rather slither away than strike and bite. However, contrary to popular belief, snakes are timid animals and are aggressive only when threatened. Canada is home to over 50 species and subspecies of snakes, and they are mostly found in southern Canada, where temperatures are warmer.Īll snakes are carnivorous and swallow their prey whole. They are very diverse, with different sizes, colours and habitats. Many people fear them, but that might be because they don’t know how awesome snakes are! Snakes are limbless reptiles with scaly skin. November 26, 2018 | by Tina-Louise Rossit A drawing of a snake (Photo by Darwin Online)
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