NatureNorth's - Narcisse Snake Dens, Snake Log 2023

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Here's how things have been going this year:

September 7, 2023

The autumn snake viewing season is getting underway, snakes are returning to the dens after spending summer in nearby forests and wetlands feeding mainly on frogs and toads. There can be lots of snakes visible at times around the dens in autumn, but the summer's growth of vegetation can make it difficult to see them. As with spring viewing, warm sunny days are best for viewing.

June 8, 2023

The 2023 spring snake viewing season is over. By all accounts it was not a great year. Snake numbers seem to be on the upswing though, so, hopefully, next year will be better.

Thanks to all those that visited and sent a report of their experience in to NatureNorth.

A recent CBC article on the lack of monitoring of snake numbers is worth the read:

Snake Eyes

May 31, 2023

Recent reports from folks, May 27 - 28, (thanks, Shawna, Andy, Eric and Mark) suggest that snake viewing is over for this spring. This last stretch of hot weather would have brought out the last of the snakes and they have headed off to the fields and marshes for the summer.

A recent CBC article on the lack of monitoring of snake numbers is worth the read:

Snake Eyes

May 26, 2023

Recent reports suggest that peak viewing has passed. By all the reports we've had it has not been a banner year for snake viewing. (Thanks, Ray for your May 25 Update.)

It has been suggested that snake numbers are down in recent years, perhaps in part to the flooding which occurred in 2022. Numbers should recover in in time.

May 18, 2023

Snake activity continues to be moderate to high, however, the past few cool days has reduced the activity level. Viewing should be good for the Victoria Day long weekend as long as temperatures rebound. Warm, sunny days are best for viewing snakes. It is thought that we may not have reached the peak yet. Higher activity levels around the dens may continue into the last week of May. (MB Natural Resources)

May 12, 2023

May 14 Viewing Report: "Went out Sunday May14/23 around 1:30 PM. TONS of people there, but not a lot of snakes! Maybe expectations were too high. Den 3 was most active, the others there was slim to nil. I assumed that they would be plentiful with plenty of opportunity to see/hold them, but I believe we only saw maybe 3 people the whole day actually holding a snake (with about a dozen people around them) Wondering if it’s a “quiet” year?" (Thanks for the feedback, Leith.)

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Snake activity has increased this past week as daytime temperatures have been increasing.

Viewing will be good for the Mother’s Day weekend. There is low to moderate activity in Dens 1 and 4. Dens 2 and 3 continue to be the more active dens with snakes being active during the mid day period. Warm, sunny days are best for viewing snakes. (MB Natural Resources)

May 8, 2023

Snakes are continuing to emerge at the Narcisse Snake Dens. There is low activity at both Dens 1 and 4 There is moderate to high activity at Dens 2 and 3 At Dens 2 and 3, mating balls have been observed. Between 100 and 200 snakes are active at both dens. (from MB Natural Resources)

The current forecast of warm, sunny weather this week is setting up for good snake viewing on the Mother's Day weekend!

May 2, 2023

The great weather this week is working! We've had a report of good snake activity at Dens 1 and 2. Thanks, Serena and Fox P., too!

May 3 - Mb Natural Resources Update: There is snake activity at Dens 1, 2 and 3. No activity was observed at Den 4. Less than 50 snakes were observed at each of the three dens today. With the warming temperatures, it is anticipated that snake activity will continue to increase in the coming days.

April 30, 2023

The coming week's weather forecast looks great. It may be about time for some snakes to start emerging, but it will be a while before they really get going. It's still likely that mid-May will be the best snake viewing time. Stay tuned.

April 20, 2023

With the recent snowfall and cooler temperatures, it is likely that it will be a few more weeks before snakes start emerging from their dens. Once daytime temperatures start staying consistently above 10 degrees Celsius, the conditions will be more favourable for the snakes to emerge. The timing of snakes emerging from their dens varies each year. It depends on the weather conditions in a given year. Typically, the best viewing times is the latter part of April and the first 3 weeks of May, but this is highly weather dependent. (Manitoba Natural Resources)

April 10, 2023

Spring is finally here! Snow is melting fast, but it will be several weeks before the snake emergence gets going. Patience please.

March 28, 2023

Winter is still going strong, -20 C this morning in southern Manitoba. It will be a while before any snakes begin to emerge.

Check the updates above or check out our FAQs.

To see how things unfolded in previous years follow this link: Previous Years at the Dens.