The annual gathering of a vast number of garter snakes in Manitoba’s Narcisse region is currently taking place, albeit later than usual due to cooler temperatures this spring. Typically occurring in late April, this natural phenomenon sees tens of thousands of snakes emerging from their winter dens to engage in mating activities as the weather warms up.
The recently announced high snake population has attracted numerous visitors eager to witness the spectacle. Retired biologist Doug Collicutt explained that male snakes emerge early to await the females, resulting in a frenzied mating ritual where females struggle to leave their dens and mate amidst a mass of competing males, forming what is known as “mating balls.”
The delayed emergence was attributed to cooler temperatures and a lack of rainfall, which affects the snakes’ ability to surface from the ground. Despite the weather conditions, visitors on the trail connecting the dens were able to observe the snakes, with young Liam Warren noting a significant snake count despite the cold weather.
Veronique Simard, who had longed to visit the snake dens, expressed satisfaction with the trip from Brandon, stating that her children were thrilled. The emergence of the snakes lasts about a month before they disperse to their summer feeding grounds, where they consume leeches, insects, and occasionally young birds.
The snakes, estimated to number between 70,000 and 100,000 in the area during spring, will return to their dens around early September as the fall weather sets in. Despite their large numbers, visitors like Aiden Schmidt found the snakes fascinating rather than frightening, appreciating their unique appearance and scales.
As the snakes complete their annual mating and emergence cycle, they will retreat back underground, leaving behind a memorable experience for those who witnessed this natural spectacle.