How Far Do Snakes Travel?

Most people wonder how far snakes move. Do they sit in one spot their whole lives, or do they get around? It all depends on a number of things.

Most snakes do not travel very far. Many stay within a few hundred feet of home. But others, like coachwhips or big rattlesnakes, can travel several miles, especially when they are looking for food, mates, or a place to spend the winter.

There are several reasons that will affect how far snakes will travel, such as where they live, and whether or not there is food available in the area they live in.

Why Snakes Move Around

Snakes are cold-blooded, meaning they use the world around them to warm up or cool down.

They cannot make their own body heat like humans can. They move around to find sunny spots when they are cold, or shade when they are too hot.

They also move when they are hungry, to find food like mice or birds.

During certain times of the year, male snakes move more to find female snakes.

They also move to find hiding spots or to sleep, especially in winter.

What Affects How Far a Snake Travels?

Some snakes like to stay in one area. Others move around much more. It all depends on some key factors.

Species of Snake

Different snakes behave in different ways. Some are homebodies, and others are travelers.

Bigger snakes tend to move more than small snakes, because they need more food and have more energy to cover long distances.

For example, a small snake can be happy in one backyard.

A bigger snake, on the other hand, might need to search several places to find enough food.

Rattlesnakes usually stay close to one area but coachwhips like to travel far and fast.

Where They Live

Snakes that live in wide open areas like grasslands, have to move more than snakes that live in thick forests.

It is easier to travel in open space. In cities, snakes move differently. They can pass through gardens, roads, and other things that change how they travel.

Snakes that live near people have more risks and obstacles. They can have to avoid pets, cars, and people.

These can change how far and how often they move.

Season and Weather

Snakes move differently depending on the time of year.

In cold places, snakes brumate in the winter (it’s a form of hibernation for cold-blooded animals).

They may travel long distances to find a good place to brumate safely through the winter.

In spring, they come out of brumation and start moving again. They’re hungry after brumating all winter, and males seek out females.

Snakes tend to move the most during this season.

In summer, they might shift around to find food or avoid the heat.

In autumn, they start preparing for winter again and head towards their brumating places.

Food Supply

Snakes follow food. When food is scarce, they roam further to obtain a meal.

But if food is abundant within their territory, they might not need to roam very much at all.

Snakes with plenty of prey in their area stay close to home. Where the prey is scarce, however, they might have to travel much farther just to survive.

How Far Do Some Snakes Actually Move?

Scientists have studied snake movement for years. Different kinds of snakes show different travel patterns.

1. Garter Snakes

These small snakes are commonly found in backyard gardens. Garter snakes tend to stay within 50 to 100 yards of where they live. That’s about the size of a football field.

Sometimes they will go further (up to 500 yards) if they really need to. But for the most part, they don’t get around much.

2. Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes

This large, venomous snake lives in the southeastern U.S. They usually live within an area that covers about 75 to 125 acres.

That’s a big area, about the size of several city blocks.

Male rattlesnakes may travel several miles during mating season. Females tend to stay closer to their home area.

3. Coachwhip Snakes

These snakes are fast and active. They are known for covering long distances.

During warm months, coachwhips can travel several miles as they search for food and mates.

4. Western Hognose Snakes

These snakes are small and stay close to home. Most live within 100 to 300 yards of their main area.

But if they need to, they can travel farther to find food or a mate.

5. Black Rat Snakes

These snakes are strong climbers and can live in many places.

Over their lifetime, they may travel 1 to 2 miles, often going between summer spots and winter hiding places.

How Snakes Find Their Way

Snakes don’t see or hear the world like we do.

They use special senses to figure out where they are and where to go.

Smelling with Their Tongues

Snakes insert their tongues in and out to pick up scents. Then they pull their tongues back in and “read” the scents with a special organ in their mouths.

This helps them find food, mates, and shelter. It also warns them of danger.

Sensing Heat

Some snakes, like rattlesnakes, can sense heat.

They can feel animals’ body heat, even in total darkness. This helps them hunt at night.

Feeling Vibrations

Snakes are able to detect movement on the ground. As an animal approaches them while walking, they feel the vibrations.

This helps them decide whether to hunt or conceal themselves.

How the Movement of Snakes Changes Through the Year

Snakes do not migrate like birds, but they do change their movement patterns as the seasons change.

Winter

Snakes in cold climates need safe places to hibernate (brumate) in winter. They might move to cavities underground or crevices under rocks.

They might travel to underground holes or spaces under rocks.

Many use the same spot year after year and travel back to it each fall.

Spring

When spring comes, snakes wake up and start moving again. They look for food and, in the case of males, begin searching for mates.

This is one of the times when snakes are most active.

Summer

On hot summer days, snakes may move to cooler, shaded spots.

They’re often more active at night when it’s cooler. They might travel to find water or food.

Fall

In the fall, snakes start getting ready for winter again.

They eat more and begin heading back to their winter hiding places.

How Humans Change Snake Movement

Humans change the land, and this affects how and where snakes can move.

When people build homes, roads, or farms, they remove places where snakes used to live.

This forces snakes to travel more to find shelter and food. Sometimes the new areas aren’t safe for them.

When land is broken up, snakes may have to cross dangerous places like roads to get where they need to go.

Many snakes also die trying to cross roads. This often happens during mating season or when snakes move to their winter homes.

Cars are fast, and snakes can’t always avoid them in time.

Conclusion

Some snakes stay close to home, while others travel miles. How far a snake goes depends on its size, species, habitat, and the time of year.

Small snakes like garter snakes usually stay within a few hundred yards. Bigger ones like rattlesnakes may travel farther. Active snakes like coachwhips are always on the move.