pet snakes
Do snakes hibernate? Image: Kamil Zubrzycki/PEXELS

Home » Do pet snakes hibernate during winter?

Do pet snakes hibernate during winter?

Snakes do not hibernate but they do become less active during winter. Instead of hibernation, snakes undergo a process called brumation. Brumation is similar to hibernation and occurs during the coldest months of the year. ALSO READ: What are the most popular pets in South Africa? During brumation, pet snakes experience a significant reduction in activity. Snakes instinctively seek […]

07-07-23 12:50
pet snakes
Do snakes hibernate? Image: Kamil Zubrzycki/PEXELS

Snakes do not hibernate but they do become less active during winter.

Instead of hibernation, snakes undergo a process called brumation.

Brumation is similar to hibernation and occurs during the coldest months of the year.

ALSO READ: What are the most popular pets in South Africa?

During brumation, pet snakes experience a significant reduction in activity.

Snakes instinctively seek warmer areas like underground animal dens or natural habitats.

They do this because they are aware that brumation makes them less reactive and more vulnerable to potential attacks.

Do you have a pet video or picture you’d like to share with The South African?

If so, email info@thesouthafrican.com or WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1

WHERE DO THEY GO TO BRUMATE?

Snakes seek secure and warm locations for brumation.

This can include dens or homes of other animals, such as rodents or other snakes.

Snakes may also find natural warm spots in tree trunks, caves, or bushes.

In urban areas, snakes may search for winter dens in places like garages, crawlspaces, or sheds.

Pet snakes have been known to brumate in unexpected areas like car engines, under wood piles, or any place that provides protection from cold winds and low temperatures.

ALSO READ: SA deeply concerned by plight of Palestinians

WHY DON’T SNAKES HIBERNATE?

Hibernation is a characteristic of warm-blooded animals that have control over their body temperature.

Cold-blooded animals, like snakes, lack this ability to regulate their core temperature.

As a result, snakes cannot undergo true hibernation.

Instead, they enter a comparable state called brumation.

Unlike hibernation, it is a state-specific to cold-blooded animals like snakes.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY LISA GREYSON

This article was compiled with the help of Artificial Intelligence