You may have noticed that wild rattlesnakes often disappear or become scarce in really cold weather. But do they truly hibernate throughout winter? And how cold does it have to be for snakes to hibernate?

Rattlesnakes brumate when temperatures drop below 60°F (16°C). Brumation is a process similar to hibernation in which snakes drastically reduce metabolic activity to conserve energy, which allows them to survive without external heat sources.

In the rest of this article, I’ll discuss why snakes brumate, how it helps them, and the difference between brumation and hibernation. If you’re looking for more information on how snakes regulate their body temperatures, keep reading!

What Temperatures Are Too Cold for Rattlesnakes?

Like all snakes, rattlesnakes are ectothermic animals. Ectothermic animals use external heat sources like the sun, heated rocks, or fires to regulate their internal body temperatures. They’re also commonly referred to as cold-blooded animals.

Thus, colder temperatures can be harsh on snakes because they have no ability to regulate their internal body temperatures. Rattlesnakes can generally handle temperatures as low as 60°F (16°C) before they brumate. Anything lower than that can cause health issues and interfere with their bodily functions.

What’s the Difference Between Brumation and Hibernation?

Hibernation is when warm-blooded animals enter a prolonged sleep period at the onset of winter. This sleep lasts until the weather warms up again. Brumation, on the other hand, is when cold-blooded animals like reptiles and amphibians reduce metabolic activity without going into a deep sleep.

During brumation, snakes will become sluggish and lethargic. Unlike hibernation, they remain awake and occasionally hunt or bask whenever it gets a little warmer. Snakes reduce their metabolic rate by approximately 70% while brumating.

Hibernating animals eat a lot to survive through their long sleep. Snakes, on the other hand, only eat a little food before brumation. 

Snakes Eat Less Before Brumating To Avoid Serious Digestion Issues

Snakes will only eat a little before brumation. There are two reasons for this.

• Snakes may bask in the sun on warmer days and take that time to hunt. Thus, they don’t need to stock up on food.
• Undigested food can be deadly for a brumating snake. Undigested food left in the stomach can eventually rot in the snake’s stomach, leading to serious health problems or even death.

Do All Snakes Brumate?

Not all snakes brumate. Snakes that live in temperate climates brumate due to the low winter temperatures.

However, snakes that live in tropical regions do not need to brumate. Since the weather remains warm throughout the year, the snakes in that region remain active the entire time. Typically, snakes that are household pets do not go into brumation either. If the household temperature is controlled and does not dip too low, the snake will likely remain active.  

Conclusion

While snakes do not hibernate, they brumate, which is a similar process. During brumation, they will reduce metabolic activity without going into the deep sleep that is characteristic of hibernation.

Rattlesnakes generally prefer temperatures above 70°F (21°C), so anything lower than 60°F (16°C) will lead them to brumate. At this point, they remain awake but more lethargic and sluggish.