Narcisse Snake Pits Manitoba

Narcisse Snake Pits Manitoba
Narcisse Snake Pits Manitoba

Narcisse Snake Pits Manitoba | For sure not everybody’s favorite tourist spot, but a Mekka for reptile lovers: the Narcisse Snake Pits located in the rural north of Narcisse, Manitoba (Canada) claims to have the highest density of snakes worldwide. The dens operate as winter home of tens of thousands of red-sided garter snakes. Their winter dens are subterranean caverns formed by the area’s water-worn limestone bedrock.

In spring, they come up from these dens to the snake pits, where they engage in mating rituals. Then they disperse into the nearby marshes for the summer. But comes winter, all snakes need to crawl back into the Narcisse Snake Pits to survive temperatures far below zero.

Although the site is open year round and no fees apply to visit the National Park, it’s recommended to visit the Narcisse Snake Pits between mid April and end of May. This is the time when the garter snakes come back up to the surface before spreading out into the region. Fall viewing of the returning snakes can be good in mid to late September.

Is the garter snake poisonous? No. A snake may bite if you try to pick it up, because it’s defending itself, but they are NOT POISONOUS. These snakes only have very tiny teeth that probably won’t even break your skin.

How to get to the Narcisse Snake Dense? From Winnipeg it is just over an hour’s drive. From Brandon it would take you nearly 3 hours to get here. From Gimli it’s only about a 30 minute ride. There is not too much going in this part of the world. Winnipeg might catch your attention because of the new Museum of Human Rights. Stunning architecture, very interesting exhibition. Other than that, Assiniboine Park maybe? Your turn.

Narcisse Snake Pits Manitoba Canada
Narcisse Snake Dens, Manitoba (Canada)
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Narcisse Snake Pits Manitoba. By Chili & Chirp | © Hugging Horizons | Visit our Travel Alphabet.