The annual gathering of garter snakes in Manitoba, known as the largest in the world, has commenced in Narcisse, albeit later than usual. Tens of thousands of these snakes are emerging from their winter dens in Manitoba’s Interlake region to engage in mating rituals as the temperature gradually warms up.
This year, the emergence was delayed due to cooler spring temperatures. However, the province recently confirmed that the snake population was significant enough for interested spectators to witness this natural spectacle.
Retired biologist Doug Collicutt explained that male snakes emerge early to await the arrival of females, forming large mating balls. As the females struggle out of their dens and pits to mate with the males, visitors can observe this unique behavior.
Collicutt highlighted that the snakes’ emergence is influenced by ground temperatures and rainfall patterns. Insufficient rainfall can impede the warming of the ground, affecting the snakes’ activity.
On a recent Sunday morning, around 100 people were exploring the trail connecting the snake dens. Liam Warren, a 12-year-old visitor, observed 59 snakes but expected to see fewer due to the cold weather.
Veronique Simard, who had longed to visit the Narcisse Snake Dens, expressed her satisfaction with the trip, stating that her family, especially the kids, thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
According to Raelene Sawatzky-Dyck, one of the snake interpreters, after the mating season, the snakes disperse to their summer feeding grounds where they consume various prey such as leeches, insects, and occasionally small birds.
The snakes typically return to their dens around early September as the fall weather sets in. Sawatzky-Dyck noted that while it is believed the snakes return to the same dens, this behavior is challenging to study due to the dens’ size.
Aiden Schmidt, a 10-year-old visitor, found the gathering of snakes fascinating and not frightening at all, admiring their unique scales.
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