Where do Ohio copperhead snakes go when it gets cold? It’s closer than you may think
Winter in Ohio means cold temperatures, fewer insects and no more snake sightings.
Well, maybe everything except that last part. It seems like copperheads in Ohio disappear during the winter, but do they?
Here’s what to know about copperheads in Ohio winters:
Where do Ohio copperhead snakes go in the winter?
While they don’t completely hibernate, reptiles go through a period called “brumation” in which they are less active and rest in dens.
Copperheads will sleep in dens with other snakes like rattlesnakes and even black rat snakes, and they can return to the same den for several years in a row. Dens can be under rocks, in caves, holes, underground or in tree hollows.
However, snakes will come out every now and again in the winter.
“They hibernate over the winter, from November to April, but emerge on warmer days to bask in the sun,” said Smithsonian’s National Zoo experts.
Sun-bathing doesn’t sound all that bad, right? Well, it could be bad if the snakes find their way to your warm driveway, landscaping rocks or porch, so watch out.
Snakes can also find temporary shelter in your home’s crawl space as well, according to pest control experts.
If you run into one, here’s what to do:
- Familiarize yourself with the venomous snake species common in your area and how to recognize them.
- Try to identify the snake without getting too close to it.
- Give the snake space.
Keep your Ohio home & property snake-proof
Here are some tips to keep your home and yard free of snakes:
- Remove any brush, log piles and other attractants for rodents from around your home.
- Seal up any cracks, gaps and holes that snakes can use to get into.
- Keep your grass cut.
- Cracks that you may miss are not going to be missed by snakes and other creatures looking for a safe place to live.
- Use weather stripping to seal off your home. Gaps under doors are an easy way for pests to make their way in.
- If you can see daylight through a crack or hole in your home’s pipes, vents, foundation, windows, etc., then there is a good chance that a snake can get in.
Do you have more questions about snakes in the winter? Let me know in the comments or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com
