Where Garden Snakes Go During the Winter, According to an Expert
Lots of things change with the seasons, including the types of creatures and critters you’re likely to see out and about at different times of the year. And depending on where you live, snakes are one of them. It’s not uncommon to spy a snake in your garden during the warmth of spring and summer, where they can even help keep it naturally pest-free by feeding on anything from slugs and insects to rats and mice. But, come the cold months, they’re suddenly nowhere to be found. That might leave you wondering: Where do garden snakes go during the winter?
It turns out, like lots of other animals, snakes also go into hibernation during winter. Or, they “at least seek shelter and slow down,” says Melissa Amarello, the executive director at the nonprofit Advocates for Snake Preservation.
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“Snakes are ectothermic or cold-blooded,” she says. “They depend on their environment and their behavior within that environment to maintain a stable body temperature.” Since it’s much too cold in winter to keep their temperatures high enough to be active, instead, “they seek shelter, their body temperature drops and they go dormant for a while,” Amarello says. Below, she shares more about where exactly these garden snakes go during the winter so you know where you might find them.
Rocky Outcrops and Caves
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“Most species of snakes have a particular shelter, called a den, that they will return to each winter,” Amarello says, with rocky outcrops and caves being the most common denning habitat. Because these kinds of locations have lots of rock, they’re ideal for keeping their temperatures from fluctuating wildly.
Related: 5 Snake-Filled Bodies of Water in Arkansas, Including One in a National Park, According to Experts
Structures, Like Garages and Basements
Hugo Guerreiro / Getty Images
Yup, it’s true. Just because you likely won’t see snakes slithering around in the garden once the cold is in full swing doesn’t mean they aren’t taking refuge nearby—and it might actually be closer than you think.
“The most important factors for a snake’s winter den location are stable temperatures above freezing and safety from predators,” Amarello says, which is why they can occasionally end up in protected structures like garages and basements (even if their human owners aren’t so happy about it).
Burrows
Mark Kostich / Getty Images
Finally, snakes will sometimes use burrows (like an old animal burrow) as go-to shelters throughout winter. This is especially true in climates with more mild winters, Amarello says, where there is no chance of flooding.
Final Takeaways: The Ideal Snake Shelter in Winter, According to a Pro
Andrew Lichtenstein / Getty Images
Wherever a snake decides to take up shelter in winter, there are a few key reasons behind their choice. When it comes to the shelter itself, “the entrances to their dens are often just big enough to allow the snake, but nothing bigger, inside,” Amarello says. They also prioritize a shelter that won’t freeze, but won’t be too warm at the same time.
“Cool temperatures allow them to slow their metabolism, which decreases the amount of energy they need,” Amarello says. How they find where they ultimately decide to lay low for the winter months is somewhat of a mystery, but Amarello says that “at least some species who den with other snakes follow scent trails left by older individuals (like their mamas) to established dens.”
And this hibernation isn’t necessarily solo either. According to the National Park Service, common snake species like Garter snakes actually hibernate in communities, and even more shockingly, sometimes with hundreds of snakes.
This snake hibernation period lasts from October to April, so keep these places in mind when you’re moving around your property. There may be garden snakes closer than you think.
Source:
Melissa Amarello is the executive director at Advocates for Snake Preservation.
Related: If You See These Snakes This Fall, Transformation May Be Coming, According to an Astrologer
This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Nov 3, 2026, where it first appeared in the All Pets section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: Nature
