Gartner Snakes
Physiological effects
-Change in Respiratory Rate: The oxygen consumption was depressed by 54.8%.
-Body Temperature: In the winter, the hibernaculum(the location chosen by an animal for hibernation) does not drop below 3-4 C to prevent body fat loss.
-Cardiac Activity: The cardiac activity was depressed by 77.0%
Hibernation in reptiles is different from mammals because the reptile is not surviving from its fat reserves. A clarification is in reptiles, hibernation is called brumation. The garter snake does not lose much weight in the winter; although it is cold, it's metabolism slows down and its low activity prevents it from using energy. It is very much awake, during the winter.
-Change in Respiratory Rate: The oxygen consumption was depressed by 54.8%.
-Body Temperature: In the winter, the hibernaculum(the location chosen by an animal for hibernation) does not drop below 3-4 C to prevent body fat loss.
-Cardiac Activity: The cardiac activity was depressed by 77.0%
Hibernation in reptiles is different from mammals because the reptile is not surviving from its fat reserves. A clarification is in reptiles, hibernation is called brumation. The garter snake does not lose much weight in the winter; although it is cold, it's metabolism slows down and its low activity prevents it from using energy. It is very much awake, during the winter.
Habitat
The garter snake does not brumate in all circumstances if it stays warm and awake then it is not necessary to hibernate. In cold climates with temperature reaching -40C it is necessary for them to hibernate together. The common dens include being in logs, tree stumps, rock piles, crevices under roads, railroad tracks and buildings. They may or may not hibernate together, there can be dozens to hundreds of snakes found in these dens.
The garter snake does not brumate in all circumstances if it stays warm and awake then it is not necessary to hibernate. In cold climates with temperature reaching -40C it is necessary for them to hibernate together. The common dens include being in logs, tree stumps, rock piles, crevices under roads, railroad tracks and buildings. They may or may not hibernate together, there can be dozens to hundreds of snakes found in these dens.
Mating
Brumation is required to stimulate mating behaviors and it helps with fertility which explains why they typically mate immediately after hibernation. As we learned earlier, they hibernate together making it accessible after they come out of the den. The males leave the den prior to the female and prepares, once the females appear outside, the males follow them. They give off a scent that attract the females and this helps females choose their mate. Once mating occurs, she finds a summer habitat to feed and prepare for reproduction.
Brumation is required to stimulate mating behaviors and it helps with fertility which explains why they typically mate immediately after hibernation. As we learned earlier, they hibernate together making it accessible after they come out of the den. The males leave the den prior to the female and prepares, once the females appear outside, the males follow them. They give off a scent that attract the females and this helps females choose their mate. Once mating occurs, she finds a summer habitat to feed and prepare for reproduction.
Diet
In certain places, especially at high altitudes, Garter snakes do not eat from October to May. In the south, they do not hibernate at all. Prior to hibernation, they eat a lot to store body fat in the end of the summer to prepare for the dormacy. During hibernation, they absorb water and stay in the den during colder weather. During the fall, garter snakes stop eating in order to prepare for brumation. The reason for this is reptiles, snakes included are cold-blooded and digestion occurs when their body is warm. In the situation where the situation where the snake is too cold to digest its food then it can be deadly, which explains why they clear their body of food prior to brumation.
In certain places, especially at high altitudes, Garter snakes do not eat from October to May. In the south, they do not hibernate at all. Prior to hibernation, they eat a lot to store body fat in the end of the summer to prepare for the dormacy. During hibernation, they absorb water and stay in the den during colder weather. During the fall, garter snakes stop eating in order to prepare for brumation. The reason for this is reptiles, snakes included are cold-blooded and digestion occurs when their body is warm. In the situation where the situation where the snake is too cold to digest its food then it can be deadly, which explains why they clear their body of food prior to brumation.
Interesting Fact
-Scientists are classified as non-venomous; however, there is a mild neurotoxic venom. Thankfully, it does no harm to humans.
-Scientists are classified as non-venomous; however, there is a mild neurotoxic venom. Thankfully, it does no harm to humans.