Do Snakes Hibernate? Technically No, Functionally Yes

This snake is in neither hibernation or brumation; it's just taking a little nap. Beata Urmos / Shutterstock

Have you ever wondered what happens to snakes when cold weather arrives? Do snakes hibernate like bears and other animals, or do they do something else?

Well, serpents have their own unique way of dealing with the cold — and it’s a little different from what you might expect.

Unlike mammals, snakes are cold-blooded animals, they can’t regulate their body temperature like warm-blooded animals, so they must find other ways to survive when cold temperatures hit.

What Is Hibernation?

Hibernation is something we usually associate with warm-blooded animals like bears. When the cold winter months hit, these animals enter a deep sleep to conserve energy and survive through the winter. This helps them survive when food is scarce and temperatures drop below freezing.

Warm-blooded animals, like mammals, can regulate their body temperature, so they enter hibernation to avoid burning too many calories in the cold. But snakes, being cold-blooded, have a different approach since they rely on the environment to control their body temperatures.

You might think of garter snakes slithering through tall grass on a warm day, but when the weather cools, something fascinating happens. Instead of hibernating, snakes go through a process called brumation, which is similar to hibernation but not quite the same.

What Is Brumation?

Brumation is a dormant state that cold-blooded animals, like snakes, enter to survive winter. As temperatures drop, a snake’s metabolism slows, reducing its energy needs.

Unlike hibernation — which induces deep sleep — brumation keeps snakes inactive but alert, allowing them to conserve energy while remaining responsive to their surroundings.

Snakes brumate in sheltered places like burrows or under the frost line to avoid freezing temperatures. On a relatively warm winter day, a snake may briefly emerge before returning to one of its protected spots.

Why Do Snakes Brumate?

Snakes are cold-blooded, meaning they rely on external temperatures to regulate body heat. In cold weather, they can’t stay active or warm. Brumation helps them conserve energy when food is scarce and temperatures are too low for movement.

In colder climates, brumation is crucial for survival. Snakes retreat to safe and cozy locations, often gathering in groups to retain heat. Without brumation, many snake species wouldn’t survive winter.

Do All Snakes Brumate?

Not all snakes brumate! Whether or not a snake enters this state of inactivity depends on its species and where it lives. Snakes in warmer climates — where cold winter months aren’t an issue — don’t need to brumate because temperatures stay high enough to remain active.

However, in colder climates, many species, like garter snakes and rat snakes, go into brumation to survive. This may mean you spot fewer rat snakes around the barn when winter arrives.

In regions with mild winters, some snakes might remain active on warmer days, but when temperatures drop again, they’ll return to brumation. (This temporary activity doesn’t negate their need for brumation in the colder months.)

And while brumation can help snakes survive the winter, it’s not a guarantee. There are still risks involved, such as extreme cold, lack of shelter or other environmental factors that could harm or kill the snake despite its brumation efforts.

In some cases, snakes may brumate inside homes or buildings for warmth, leading to what some might call a snake infestation.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was edited and fact-checked by a HowStuffWorks editor.