Where Do Snakes Go in Winter? Understanding Brumation

HWCS Expert Team

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.