The weather in Augusta has been bizarre over the past six months, and temperatures over the next several weeks will likely prove confusing for cold blooded creatures.
During this time, temperatures begin to swing wildly as old man winter tries to hold on a little longer. There may be several 45 degree days followed by temperatures that soar into the 70s and even 80s on the thermometer.
These wild swings in temperature tend to baffle cold blooded animals, reptiles like lizards and snakes, and they will leave the safety and somewhat warmth of their dens in search of food.
People jogging at the Augusta Canal are used to seeing the occasional water snake or king snake cozy itself on the banks, soaking up sun on mild winter days, and that is because, contrary to urban legend, snakes do not hibernate.
Ironically, it is warm blooded animals that like to hibernate and use stored up fat to stay alive when they cannot hunt.
Donna Wear, retired professor of biology at Augusta University, says that all reptiles, which in the CSRA include snakes as well as alligators, become slightly active on sunny warm winter days.
“People are used to seeing lizards come out in the winter, and they are no different than snakes. When they have the opportunity to bask in the sun, they come out. It’s the way they regulate their body temperature,” Wear said.
Rather, snakes and other reptiles enter a period of “brumation,” which is similar to hibernation.
According to NewsWeek, the process of brumation begins to take over, and the animal’s metabolism slows to that of just above cardiac arrest with the heart only beating around three times per minute.
Whatever den the animal chooses must be warm enough for the animal not to freeze. The den will trap the remaining heat below and keep the animal alive while the brumation puts the creature in a sort of suspended animation.
Brumation is different from hibernation in that the animal does not fall asleep and remains mostly aware during this time, and that is why when the temperatures rise suddenly, the animal will confuse it with the onset of spring and venture out in search of food.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Park Ranger David Quebedeaux says that this year may be even more trying for reptiles as much of the habitat in the CSRA has changed since last September’s hurricane, which saw entire forested areas devastated.
“We really don’t know what to expect as the weather warms and the reptiles come out. These animals are very adaptable and tend to roll with the punches, so to speak. They may take little notice of the changes as their primary goal is to find food,” Quebedeaux said.
Of, course, people may see an uptick in snakes, displaced from the hurricane, finding cover in their shrubs. Contrary to popular belief, the animals will not be more aggressive at this time; in fact, many are still a bit lethargic from the earlier cold weather.
Quebedeaux says that a homeowner has nothing to fear and unless their land has a food source, such as mice. Otherwise, a snake will snoop around and then move on.
“People ask me all the time what will ward off snakes. I tell them that I put Slim Whitman on the record player. That works every time,” Quebedeaux said.
Scott Hudson is the Senior Investigative Reporter, Editorial Page Editor and weekly columnist for The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
