Where do worm snakes move to when ground temperatures drop in late fall for hibernation?
Answer
Deeper, seeking locations below the frost line or under large logs
As cold-blooded reptiles, worm snake activity is governed by ambient temperature, necessitating a shift in location as the seasons change. When late fall temperatures cause the ground surface to cool significantly, they engage in a migratory behavior to avoid freezing. This involves moving vertically downward into the substrate, specifically seeking locations situated below the frost line, where soil temperatures remain stable and warmer. Alternatively, they settle into established hibernation sites, often found deep beneath insulating structures like large, protective logs.
Related Questions
What physical feature identifies worm snakes as masters of disappearing underground?What habitat requirement defines a worm snake as 'fossorial'?Where is the Western Worm Snake (*Carphophis vermis*) distribution primarily centered?What regions characterize the broad distribution of the Eastern Worm Snake (*C. amoenus*)?Which soil compositions are worm snakes explicitly noted as *not* inhabiting?What primary food sources are easily accessible in moist, loamy earth for worm snakes?Where do worm snakes move to when ground temperatures drop in late fall for hibernation?Which cover objects are dependable indicators of a worm snake's presence due to moisture trapping?Why do recently tilled vegetable rows, though worm-rich, pose a navigation challenge for worm snakes?In New York, where are Eastern Worm Snakes (*C. amoenus*) typically confined?