The annual gathering of garter snakes, the largest in the world, is currently taking place in Manitoba. This event, which usually occurs in late April as the weather warms up, sees tens of thousands of snakes emerging from their winter dens in Narcisse, Manitoba’s Interlake region, to engage in mating activities.
This year, the emergence was delayed due to cooler temperatures. However, the province recently announced that the snake population had reached a sufficient number for visitors to witness this natural spectacle.
According to retired biologist Doug Collicutt, male snakes come out early to wait for the females, resulting in a frenzy of mating behavior. Visitors can observe large groups of snakes gathered in “mating balls” during this period.
Collicutt explained that the snakes’ emergence is influenced by ground temperatures and rainfall patterns. A lack of rain can delay their appearance as it affects the warmth in the dens required for their emergence.
Despite the weather conditions, around 100 people were seen walking the trail connecting the snake dens, with visitors like Liam Warren, who counted 59 snakes, expressing surprise at the numbers despite the cold weather.
Veronique Simard, a visitor who had long awaited a visit to the snake dens, mentioned that the trip from Brandon was worthwhile, especially for her children who were thrilled by the experience.
As the snakes disperse to their summer feeding grounds after the mating season, they consume various prey such as leeches, insects, and occasionally young birds. The snakes are estimated to number between 70,000 to 100,000 in the area during any given spring.
By early September, the snakes return to their dens as the fall weather approaches. Although it is believed that they return to the same dens each year, this behavior is challenging to study due to the dens’ small size.
Despite the large numbers of snakes congregating in one area, young visitors like Aiden Schmidt, 10, found the experience fascinating rather than frightening, admiring the snakes’ appearance and scales.
WATCH | Cooler weather delays garter snakes’ appearance at Narcisse:
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