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Snakes on the Move: A Pre-Winter Rush
It might seem counterintuitive – snakes are cold-blooded (ectothermic, more accurately), relying on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature. Surely, as temperatures drop, they’d become less active? Well, yes and no. While extreme cold sends them into brumation (a state similar to hibernation for reptiles), the moderate temperatures of early to mid-autumn can actually spur a final burst of activity. There are several reasons why you might see more snakes slithering around during the fall months.Last Chance Saloon for Sunshine
Snakes need to warm up to digest food and have the energy to move. Sunny autumn days provide crucial opportunities for basking. You might find them stretched out on rocks, pavement, woodpiles, or dark mulch – surfaces that absorb and retain the sun’s heat. They’re soaking up those last warm rays before the prolonged cold forces them underground. This basking behavior often puts them in more open, visible locations than during the peak heat of summer when they might seek deeper shade.Fueling Up for Brumation
Winter is a long fasting period for snakes in temperate climates. Before entering their brumation sites (hibernacula), they need to store enough energy reserves. Fall represents a critical feeding window. They’ll be actively hunting rodents, amphibians, insects, and other prey, which might also be more active during certain parts of the fall day. This hunt can lead them into yards, sheds, and garages as they follow their food sources.Searching for Winter Lodgings
Perhaps the most significant driver of increased snake sightings in fall is the search for suitable brumation sites. Snakes need a place that will remain above freezing and offer protection from predators throughout the winter. This often means seeking out underground burrows (sometimes made by other animals), deep rock crevices, hollow logs, or even crawl spaces and foundations under homes. As they travel, sometimes considerable distances, searching for the perfect winter den, their paths are more likely to cross ours.Juvenile Dispersal
Many snake species hatch or are born in late summer or early fall. These young, inexperienced snakes disperse from their birth sites, seeking food and shelter of their own. This dispersal adds to the overall number of snakes on the move, increasing the chances of an encounter.Important Safety Note: While most snakes you encounter are harmless and beneficial, always treat any snake with caution. Never attempt to handle or corner a snake. Observe from a safe distance and allow it to move on; it’s likely just passing through on its search for warmth or winter shelter.
Skunks: Preparing for the Lean Months
Skunks, unlike snakes, don’t truly hibernate or brumate in the same way. They are mammals and regulate their own body temperature. However, they do become significantly less active during the coldest parts of winter, entering periods of torpor – a state of decreased physiological activity – often holing up in dens for days or weeks at a time, especially during severe weather. Fall, therefore, is crucial preparation time.Packing on the Pounds
Similar to snakes needing energy stores, skunks need to build up substantial fat reserves to survive the winter when food is scarce and their activity levels drop. Autumn offers a bounty of food sources – insects like crickets and grasshoppers are abundant, fruits and berries ripen, and rodent populations are often high. Skunks are opportunistic omnivores and will be foraging diligently, often during the twilight hours of dawn and dusk, which coincides with times people might be commuting or spending time in their yards.Den Sweet Den
Like snakes searching for hibernacula, skunks are actively seeking or improving their winter dens in the fall. They prefer sheltered locations and might utilize abandoned burrows created by other animals (like woodchucks), hollow logs, brush piles, or spaces under decks, sheds, porches, or crawl spaces. Their search for these cozy spots can bring them into closer proximity to human dwellings. A female skunk might also be preparing a den to potentially raise young the following spring.Young Skunks Finding Their Way
Young skunks, born in the spring, are typically independent by fall. They are dispersing from their mother’s territory to establish their own. These juveniles are less experienced and may be bolder or more clumsy in their explorations, sometimes wandering into areas where adult skunks might be more cautious. This dispersal contributes to the perception of increased skunk numbers.Coexisting with Autumn Wildlife
So, yes, there’s a biological basis for seeing more snakes and skunks in the fall. It’s not just your imagination. Their increased visibility is tied to essential pre-winter survival behaviors: finding food, seeking warmth, and securing shelter.Reducing Unwanted Encounters
While observing wildlife can be enjoyable, most people prefer not to have snakes or skunks taking up residence under their porch. You can make your property less attractive as a winter haven:- Seal Entry Points: Check your home’s foundation, vents, and spaces under decks and sheds for potential entry points. Seal any openings larger than a quarter-inch for snakes and slightly larger for skunks. Use hardware cloth, mortar, or expanding foam.
- Tidy Up: Remove potential shelters like woodpiles, rock piles, dense brush, and debris near your home’s foundation. Keep grass mowed.
- Eliminate Food Sources: Secure garbage cans tightly. Don’t leave pet food outdoors overnight. Clean up fallen fruit from trees. Address rodent problems, as rodents attract snakes.
- Be Aware: Exercise caution when working in areas where these animals might seek shelter, like under brush or in woodpiles. Use gloves and be mindful of where you place your hands and feet.
