The largest gathering of snakes worldwide is currently happening in Manitoba, albeit later than usual, with tens of thousands of garter snakes emerging from their dens in Narcisse. Typically occurring in late April when temperatures allow for the cold-blooded creatures to leave their winter dwellings in Manitoba’s Interlake region to mate, this year’s emergence was delayed due to cooler spring weather. The provincial announcement last week confirmed a high snake population, attracting visitors to witness the phenomenon.
Retired biologist Doug Collicutt explained the mating behavior, stating that males eagerly await the females’ emergence to engage in mating. The females struggle to exit the dens and pits, eventually mating with one of the males amidst a mass of others in “mating balls.” Visitors can observe these snake gatherings, known as “mating balls,” where the snakes intertwine.
Collicutt emphasized the impact of temperature and rainfall on the snakes’ emergence, noting that the snakes require warm ground conditions to surface. Despite the delay, around 100 people explored the trail connecting the dens, with Liam Warren, 12, counting 59 snakes despite the cold weather.
Veronique Simard, who had longed to visit the snake dens since her time in Quebec, expressed her joy at finally making the trip from Brandon with her family. The emergence of the garter snakes lasts approximately a month before they disperse to their summer feeding areas, where they consume leeches, bugs, and occasionally baby birds.
The snakes return to their dens around early September as fall weather sets in, preparing to hibernate underground. Aiden Schmidt, 10, shared his fascination with the snakes’ appearance, finding them cool and admiring their scales. Overall, the gathering of thousands of snakes in Narcisse continues to captivate visitors each spring, offering a unique wildlife spectacle.
