Up to 12 males will form a "breeding ball" around a single female. They writhe for weeks. The female, who is significantly larger, will occasionally eat one of her suitors. Why? The protein from a male meal fuels the massive energy cost of gestation.
As spring temperatures rise, many ecosystems experience a surge in reptile activity. For most temperate-climate species, the mating season for mating season for snakes
You might see more snakes crossing paths or trails right now. Males are traveling to find females and engaging in "combat dances" with other males. Up to 12 males will form a "breeding
She will not eat for 90 days. She will defend her gestating young with a ferocity absent in her normal life. And in late summer, she will give birth to 10-20 miniature replicas of herself—fully venomous, fully independent, and destined to repeat the cycle. For most temperate-climate species, the mating season for
Remember, snakes are vital for our ecosystems. They control pest populations like rodents and insects. If you see them this season, admire them from a distance and let nature take its course!