Posted by:
ratsnakehaven
at Sun Nov 13 19:08:17 2005 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by ratsnakehaven ]
You're right, actual data is lacking in regards to overwintering snakes. This is very difficult to study and there is very little info in the literature. I think this is one of the themes of our recent discussions. However, I have seen hibernaculums/dens of the Eastern milksnake and black kings. Did you see my post below (I'll put a link)? Although hibernaculums aren't common enough for all adults to have one there are some available, including in the far north. When conditions are right, large numbers can congregate in one location. The adults probably are resting in pairs or singley in other areas.
Kings and milks often overwinter in rodent burrows, sometimes the same ones they use in summer when foraging. Our property in n. MI is covered with all kinds of burrows...ground squirrels, moles, voles, mice, shrews, etc, use them, as well as other snakes, frogs, etc. There is also the root systems of large trees that often go deep into the ground and provide an escape for snakes avoiding the cold. In the case of some burrows, they can have several entrances and different tunnels, and can be at different levels with varying temps, humidity, etc, and they often have brooding chambers. I'm sure the snakes can take advantage of this and wouldn't be surprised if more than one would be holed up in a brooding chamber 
TC
milksnake hibernaculum
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RE: Is there evidence to support congregation behavior in other kingsnakes - ratsnakehaven, Sun Nov 13 19:08:17 2005