Narcisse Snake Dens

Hi there! We're way behind schedule getting this Narcisse Snake Dens web page going. Please bear with us as we build it on the fly. But as you know, Mother Nature has her own schedule and the snakes are coming out already. Our aim is to have a page where we keep you updated about the state of things at the snake dens, as well as give you a virtual tour of the den area.

Check the weather for the Interlake region at this link: Weather for Gimli, Manitoba.
Gimli is about 30 km east of the Narcisse Snake Dens.

Here's the latest scoop on the action at the dens:

May 6, 2008

Warmer daytime temperatures have resulted in a significant increase in snake activity at the Narcisse Snake Dens. There presently about 5,000 to 8,000 snakes involved in their annual mating ritual at three of the four dens. Daily snake numbers should continue to climb, with the peak occurring by the middle of next week or the following weekend.


May 5, 2008

Yikes, more snow last weekend! We hope to hear from Manitoba Conservation again soon, but this weather is slowing down the snakes this year. The good news is that if you haven't been to the Narcisse dens yet, then you haven't missed the main emergence of snakes. The forecast for this week looks promising and any day that has sunny skies will generate some snake activity.


April 30, 2008

The snakes at the Narcisse Snake Dens are just starting to re-activate after the last week’s snow and subsequent cold temperatures. There are a few hundred snakes in Den 2 and Den 3, with no activity at Den 1 and Den 4. It is anticipated that activity will continue to increase at least until the weekend when more cold weather is forecast. Hopefully the poor weather will be behind us next week and the emergence will begin to pick up momentum.


April 28, 2008

Well, the weather is much improved for this week and snakes should be getting active again. Any day where the temperatures are in the teens and it's sunny will bring lots of snakes out now. But the forecast for the coming weekend is for cooler again (4 C and rainy), probably not great for snake viewing.


April 24, 2008

What happened to spring? Southern Manitoba is experiencing a major spring snow storm today. Temperatures will be well below normal for the next few days, so snake activity should be non-existent for a bit.


April 21, 2008

The snakes have started to emerge at the Narcisse Snake Dens. About a thousand snakes were observed at 3 of the four active dens over the weekend. Snake emergence and mating activity will likely slow this week with the anticipated cooler weather, but should pick up again this coming weekend if more normal weather conditions return.


You can get more info directly from Manitoba Conservation at their website: The Snakes of Narcisse.

Thanks to Dave Roberts, Manitoba Conservation for the update information.

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