During the colder months, Bryan spent time out in the field observing rattlesnakes at their winter dens to see what they’re actually doing this time of year. While most people imagine snakes sleeping all winter long, the reality is a lot more interesting. Rattlesnakes gather in rocky dens and remain mostly inactive, but they aren’t always asleep, and on winter days, or even on cold nights, they may shift positions, bask near den entrances, get a drink from rain, or move around within the den.
Understanding this part of their life cycle helps explain why snakes suddenly seem to “appear” in the spring — they were here the whole time, just tucked away in the right places.
