Ep. 283 : Hibernacula and Brown Snakes

About this episode

The episode discusses the observation of various snake species and explores the concept of hibernacula.

The other day, while out with my students, we came across four basking snakes on the side of a gravel access road cutting through an Eastern White Cedar ( Thuja occidentalis ) forest. Two Eastern Garters ( Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis ), a single Red-bellied ( Storeria occipitomaculata ), and a Brown Snake ( Storeria dekayi ) . Three of the four stuck around and we watched, told a story, and asked questions about the snakes. Some of the questions I could help the students find the answers, but some I was at a loss. Do multiple species of snakes share a hibernaculum? What is a hibernaculum really? Do all snakes use them? What characteristics are the snakes looking for in a hibernaculum? These and a couple other questions really sat with me for the day. When it came time for the radio show, while I had a lot of interesting sightings this first warm week of Spring, the hibernacula question still held my heart. So I obviously had to look it up and learn more. To learn more : The Snakes of Ontario : Natural History, Distribution, and Status by Jeffrey C. Rowell. Self published, 2012. Amphibians and Reptiles of the Great Lakes Region by James H. Harding & David A. Mifsud…

People in this episode

Host: Byron

Topics covered

• snakes
• hibernacula
• education
• nature observation
• biodiversity

Keywords

• snakes
• hibernacula
• Eastern Garters
• Red-bellied
• Brown Snake
• nature education
• biodiversity

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: The Snakes of Ontario : Natural History, Distribution, and Status, Amphibians and Reptiles of the Great Lakes Region

Places: Eastern White Cedar, Ontario

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