It was a somewhat mild day in central Pennsylvania on December 2. The three of us walked along a trail under some white pines. Under the shade of those pines, there was still a fair amount of …
Stay informed about your community and support local independent journalism.
Subscribe to The River Reporter today. click here
This item is available in full to subscribers.
Please log in to continue |
It was a somewhat mild day in central Pennsylvania on December 2. The three of us walked along a trail under some white pines. Under the shade of those pines, there was still a fair amount of leftover snow. With the temperature around 45 degrees F, it would only last so long. We had a couple of miles to hike in, and then we planned on climbing one of the many slopes in this part of the state.
By the time we reached a little more than halfway up, the sun was beating on that slope and temperatures reached 53 degrees. The slope was facing southeast with an incline of about 30 degrees. We stopped to look at an interesting rock formation, when someone said, “Snake!”
A quick look confirmed that the snake was a non-venomous northern black racer (Coluber constrictor). Seeing a black racer this late in the fall is a little bit unusual, but they are known to venture out of the den on mild late-fall days.
Black racers are one of the later species of snakes to enter their hibernacula in the fall; they are nestled in by November. For comparison, timber rattlesnakes are usually in the den by October. Rattlesnakes are intolerant of cold temperatures. they emerge in the spring, around mid-April into May, while racers have already come out.
Like many other snakes, this black racer wasn’t looking for food. They don’t eat before they go into the den, waiting until after they emerge in the spring. It was basking in the sun for the precious little time it could find good basking conditions at the beginning of December. Because black racers enter a state of brumation instead of hibernation, they can still have periods of activity, mostly within the den. However, once in a while, they venture outside during the cusp of winter during mild days.
Sightings like this may keep the legend of snow snakes alive.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here