How Common are Rattlesnake Bites in the Winter in Northern States?

In recent years, “rattlesnake season” has been starting earlier than usual. Does that mean we need to be worried about rattlesnake bites in winter if we live in the northern states?  Well, yes and no.

Snakes become sluggish anywhere below 60 degrees° F, and eventually as temperatures drop during the autumn season, rattlesnakes enter a state of brumation (a deep sleep similar to hibernation) where they snuggle alone or in groups inside burrows to wait out the winter weather.

Snakes may burrow underneath a pile of leaf litter or a rotting log or tree, or find a spot in a south-facing rocky crevice. They may also find large cavities in the soil underneath tree stumps. But it's not impossible to see one outside of its den after the first snowfall, or on sunny days in late winter or early spring. Snakes in temperate regions of the country are particularly vulnerable to cold temperatures. This is because the reptiles are cold-blooded, or ectothermic, meaning that the temperature of their blood changes as the temperature of their environment changes. It's why snakes spend enormous amounts of time basking in the sun.

Knowing that, it's important to watch your step if you're traversing the foothills or dry brush in the winter months. If you do stumble across a den of rattlers, back up and get the heck out of there! If a rattler is forced out of their hibernation spot because of a disturbance or desperation for food, you can bet they'll be more likely to be aggressive. Some times an adult snake won’t release venom if they know that they won’t be eating the victim, so they dry bite. Young ones unleash all their venom because they don’t know any better yet. And since you’ll never know if a rattler you encounter has just had a snack or not, don’t take a chance — always strap on your snake gaiters when you’re in and around known snake habitats!

Because it's uncommon for snakes to be active once temps dip below 55°F, rattler encounters are rare, but not unheard of, during winters in northern states. As always, wear snake bite protection and give them their space.