16/07/2026
🐍 Fun snakey fact for World Snake Day: In Canberra winters, snakes don’t hibernate - they brumate.
Brumation is a state of semi-dormancy that snakes experience in cooler climates (like Canberra). During this time they're mostly lethargic and inactive, but they may still emerge on warmer days to drink water, bask in the sun, or move to a different hiding spot if they're disturbed.
Snakes enter brumation based on a combination of temperature and the length of the day. As the weather cools in autumn and the days get shorter, they gradually become less active and stop feeding. They'll find a sheltered spot, such as under rocks or inside logs, and spend most of the winter there, occasionally emerging if conditions are warm enough.
Because they can't maintain the body temperature needed to digest food properly, they generally don't hunt or eat during brumation.
When spring arrives and there's enough warmth from the sun, they'll become active again, feeding and breeding.
So that's why you won't often see snakes in winter around Canberra - they're brumating.
However! You may still come across them in their hidey holes, or while they're going for an occasional winter jaunt outside. While they're sleepy, they're still capable of defending themselves if they feel threatened, so it's best to leave them alone and give them plenty of space. If a snake is in your house or somewhere in your yard where it poses a risk, call a professional snake catcher.
Snakes play an important role in healthy ecosystems, including by helping keep rodent populations in balance - another reason to admire them from a respectful distance 💚🐍💚
For more on what to do if you encounter snakes in Canberra, check out the ACT Government's snakes page - link in the comments. We've also included a couple of interesting articles about snakes in winter/spring.
📷A red belly black snake out and about in early spring, after its winter brumation.
