The largest congregation of snakes globally is currently happening in Manitoba, with tens of thousands of garter snakes emerging from their winter dens in Narcisse, albeit later than usual due to cooler temperatures this spring. Typically occurring at the end of April, the event marks the snakes leaving their winter dwellings in Manitoba’s Interlake region to engage in mating activities.
The delayed emergence was recently announced by the province, indicating a high number of snakes for interested observers to witness this natural phenomenon. Retired biologist Doug Collicutt explained that male snakes come out early to wait for females to emerge, leading to a frenzy of mating activity. Visitors can witness clusters of snakes in “mating balls” as part of this unique spectacle.
Collicutt highlighted that temperature and rainfall play crucial roles in the snakes’ emergence, with warmth and adequate moisture facilitating their movement. Despite the challenging weather conditions, around 100 people were exploring the trail connecting the dens, with visitors like Liam Warren expressing excitement despite the colder weather.
As families enjoyed the experience, Raelene Sawatzky-Dyck, a snake interpreter, shared insights about the snakes’ behavior post-mating season. The garter snakes disperse to their summer feeding grounds, covering considerable distances to find food such as leeches, bugs, and occasionally even baby birds.
The snakes typically return to their dens in early September as the fall weather sets in. Sawatzky-Dyck noted the difficulty in studying the dens due to their size but estimated that 70,000 to 100,000 snakes could be present in the area during any given spring. Aiden Schmidt, aged 10, expressed admiration for the snakes’ appearance and scales, emphasizing that the gathering was not intimidating but rather fascinating.
Despite the weather delay, visitors relished the opportunity to witness this natural phenomenon and experience the unique environment of Narcisse’s snake dens.