Answer:
Many people are familiar with hibernation, the winter practice of some mammals such as bears, and even some plants. It is commonly thought that snakes also hibernate because we don’t see them as much in the colder months, but this assumption is mistaken and could lead to unexpected – and likely unwanted – snake run-ins.
Hibernation is the state of very deep sleep where the animals or plants will stay dormant to conserve energy until the cold season passes. For example, bears will often gorge on food to build up their fat stores then go into hibernation because their food source will be very low in the winter months. The hibernation state helps them survive the winter by lowering their body temperature, slowing their heartbeat and breathing, depressing their metabolism, and exerting little to no energy. Their bodies then use up the stored fats to maintain their necessary body processes and to keep them warm through the season.
Unlike mammals, snakes don’t go into full hibernation. Instead, snakes enter a similar state called brumation.