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It’s the middle of winter. There is snow on the ground. Yet, you just found a sluggish snake on your basement floor. How is this possible? Shouldn't they be hibernating?

## Hibernation vs. Brumation

Mammals hibernate (a deep sleep where metabolism drops drastically). Reptiles undergo **brumation**.
*   **Awake but Slow:** During brumation, snakes are sluggish and stop eating, but they are technically awake. On unseasonably warm winter days, they may move around to find water.
*   **The Seek for Heat:** Being cold-blooded, they cannot survive freezing temperatures. They must find a location below the frost line. In the wild, this is a rock crevice. In the suburbs, it’s your basement or crawlspace.

## Why They Are in Your Basement

Basements are essentially man-made caves. They are cool, maintain a steady temperature above freezing, and are often damp.
*   **Entry Points:** Snakes enter through cracks in the foundation, gaps around pipe penetrations, or unsealed basement windows in the fall.
*   **Discovery:** You often find them near the furnace or water heater, trying to steal a little warmth.

## What To Do

Finding a winter snake usually means you have a foundation sealing issue.
1.  **Do Not Put It Outside:** A snake put outside in freezing temperatures will die instantly.
2.  **Call HWCS:** We can remove the snake safely.
3.  **Seal the Foundation:** The most important step is finding the crack. We use expanding foam and masonry sealant to close the gaps, preventing mice and snakes from using your home as a winter hotel next year.

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