Brumation of Common Gartersnakes ending

[Bill Tefft]

After watching eastern gartersnakes coming out from brumation as frost has been leaving the ground over the past couple weeks along the Echo Trail, yesterday was the first afternoon that there appeared to be a presence of female snakes and opportunities for males to mate with them before they disperse after winter hibernation.

These two pictures were taken about 4:00 yesterday afternoon with what appears to be a larger snake, probably a female, with somewhat smaller males around her attempting to mate.  

Today maybe another day with afternoon sunlight warming this rock location across from Fire Number 1908 on the Echo Trail where snakes have brumated in recent winters and then in April come out and mate before dispersing for summer and next winters return.  

I wish I didn't have to work today and could witness more observation opportunities before the weather changes again.

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Bill Tefft
efn...@gmail.com
218-235-8078