The annual gathering of garter snakes in Narcisse, Manitoba, known as the largest in the world, is currently happening slightly later than usual. Tens of thousands of these snakes are emerging from their winter dens in the Interlake region of Manitoba to begin their mating rituals as the weather warms up. Due to cooler temperatures this spring, the snake emergence was delayed, but the province recently confirmed that the number of snakes was high enough for visitors to witness this natural spectacle.
According to retired biologist Doug Collicutt, male snakes come out early to wait for the females to join them, resulting in a frenzy of mating activities. Visitors can observe large clusters of snakes forming “mating balls” as part of this process. Factors like ground temperature and rainfall influence the snakes’ emergence, with a lack of rainfall delaying their appearance.
Despite the weather conditions, around 100 people were seen walking the trail connecting the dens, with one visitor, Liam Warren, noting the presence of 59 snakes. Families, such as Veronique Simard’s, traveled to Narcisse to witness this unique phenomenon, with Simard expressing joy at finally experiencing the snake dens after years of anticipation.
After the month-long emergence period, the garter snakes disperse to their summer feeding grounds, where they consume leeches, insects, and occasionally small birds. They can travel significant distances for food, up to 20 or 30 kilometers away. The snakes return to their dens in early September as fall approaches.
Despite the large number of snakes congregating in Narcisse each spring, visitors like Aiden Schmidt, aged 10, find the sight fascinating rather than frightening. The snakes’ return to the same dens every year is believed but challenging to confirm due to the dens’ size and nature. The estimated population of garter snakes in the region ranges from 70,000 to 100,000 during any given spring season.