Hi, Kerby. Nice post.



Yesterday in n. Michigan it was 51*F. for a high and about 32*F. for a low. When I got home it was sunny and pleasant, but cool. I know there are hundreds of snakes living on my property (20 acres), and I have dozens of snake traps (boards, tin, rocks, etc.) spread around the property. But when I went around and checked things I didn't see one single snake...





I haven't seen any snakes since the end of September, with the exception of a few Eastern garters, when temps hit the 70's. Why aren't the snakes surface active under these conditions in n. MI?



I believe snakes have different behaviors in different areas of the country. Even in the southern part of MI the snakes behave different than they do where I live because of the differing conditions, even though they may seem the same at the time. If it had been spring yesterday, I probably would have seen dozens of snakes depending on what part of spring and what the snakes were doing. Mostly, only the natricine snakes are surface active in early spring here.



I think 51*F, and sunny, is different in AZ than it is in n. MI at this time of year. I don't have much time to talk about it right now, but will throw out a couple reasons to think about. One is that it is much less likely to freeze overnight in AZ than in n. MI. Another is that AZ will get way more days around 70*F. than in n. MI. And finally, the underground temps are very important too. I don't have too much time to explain right now. Let's just say that the temps near the surface in AZ stay in a range the snakes can function in much longer than they do in n. MI. In MI, once the underground temps start dropping below a critical temp, I believe around 55*F, I believe the snakes start to shut down and not move.



Anyway, I'll keep you all posted on what I see from now until next spring and get back to you later on talking about the underground temps and why snakes can stay surface active longer in AZ.



PS: My job right now is killing me. I'm going to be very involved for awhile. Should get some time this coming weekend.



Terry

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