Mild winters make it easier for snakes to survive in Florida, but they still may come into your home searching for shelter or food. Nevertheless, you are more likely to see them indoors during the winter.
Snakes are known for their cold-blooded nature, they are not able to control their own body temperature to keep it at the same temperature as their surroundings, which is why they are commonly seen basking in the sun. By being ectothermic (cold-blooded), they must find a way to regulate their body temperature depending on how warm or cold it is. If the weather is cool, the snake will move somewhere warm, and if it’s cold, the snake can hibernate to stay warm.
Moreover, snakes are known to migrate after the outside temperature drops so that they can find a place where they can maintain their body temperature. This way, a snake might end up in your home, where there is always warm and cozy. These animals are drawn to such places as they need heat to thrive and stay alive.
Also, snakes that are found indoors during the warm months can be ill or injured. In any case, if you find a snake inside your house, don’t wait to call an exterminator who can safely remove the reptile.
Florida happens to have a surprisingly large snake population. In some parts of Florida, winters are very warm to humans but still cold enough to signal to snakes that they should conserve their energy. Thus, snakes need to hibernate when it gets too cold for them in order to survive. However, in fact, they go into a state of brumation, which is similar to hibernation.
Where Do Snakes Hide In A House In Winter?
Snakes are coldblooded creatures that survive by finding sources of heat wherever they are. Typically, in their natural environment, snakes will hide under piles of leaves and other debris during the winter. They can also find spaces in between rocks or other objects so that they can stay warm and cozy. lf a snake does not have access to sunlight or heat from another source, it may die during the winter months.
Another place where a snake may hide is inside a house. Snakes are adaptable creatures so they will find places to hide if they find themselves somewhere new. They may be hiding somewhere warm, such as near heating vents or behind furniture, where it can keep out of the cold. They can be found under closets and dresser drawers, sink, behind appliances, or in large plants.
When looking to hibernate for the winter, this wildlife usually finds crawl spaces to be warm, damp, and safe shelters. The crawlspace is where a large number of snakes could be hibernating at once.
It is possible for the reptile to sneak inside through gaps around doors or in the siding, cracks in the house’s foundation or other openings.
At What Temperature Do Snakes Go Into Brumation?
A snakes only hibernate in areas that are cold enough to sustain its life. These reptiles typically become sluggish when the temperature falls below 65 degrees Fahrenheit, but still remain active until the temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. If it gets colder than this, snakes enter what is known as brumation. During brumation, a snake enters a dormant state to slow down its bodily functions. This allows the animal to survive until warmer weather is there again.
If the air temperature is between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, then it may be in a state of torpor, which is similar to hibernation but not as deep.
A snake usually won’t wake up from brumation all at once when it gets warm again outside. Instead, it may come out of this state gradually until it’s able to get out and bask in the sun. However, a snake can come directly out of brumation when it gets warm outside, but this is only common in cases where the temperature does not drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit for a long time.
Since snakes can brumate during the winter, they may spend a few months inside a house before finally leaving in spring. They do not feed or drink water while hibernating. lf there is an ongoing heat source in side the home, the snake may settle inside until it gets warm outside. Once this happens, it will likely move back outside.
What Months Do Snakes Brumate?
Snakes typically brumate during the winter months but they may also go into this state during early spring or late fall, depending on where they are located. Snakes in colder climates will brumate for longer. They will go into brumation during the cooler months, from around November through March, depending on the area and weather conditions.
When snakes are in brumation, they are not dangerous to humans since they become much less active. However, it is important to ensure that there are no openings in the home where a snake can get inside. Once it is warm outside again, any snakes that have entered the house should be able to find their way out on their own.
How Do You Know If A Snake Is In Brumation?
The safest way to know if a snake is brumating is by checking the area’s temperature and looking for clues such as lack of activity, less sensitivity to sound or vibration, and a slightly open mouth that indicates breathing has slowed down.
Snakes do not have eyelids so you cannot tell if it is sleeping by just checking their eyes for signs that they are closed. But snakes that are in brumation will typically curl up in a ball with their heads tucked underneath them. Also, the snake has brumated if the air temperature in the surrounding area is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
A snake that is brumating may have days when it is wake and show some activity like drinking water, and then it will go back to its dormant state. They are able to sleep for extended periods of time if they do not have access to other sources of heat. The reptile should become active again when it gets warm outside, but there is no guarantee that it will be gone once this happens.
If a snake is hiding somewhere in the home but is not brumating, because it is a cold-blooded creature, it will need to find a source of heat to survive. Once there are no longer any sources of heat inside the house, the snake should be able to get back outside on its own.
If you find a snake in your home, do not approach it as it might be venomous and dangerous. Instead, contact a professional immediately who can safely remove the snake and prevent it from coming back inside again. Our team at Wildlife Troopers is very experienced and highly trained to handle any species of snakes that may have found their way into your home. So give us a call today for a free quote and video inspection.
