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Indiana winters can be brutal, but our reptiles are built for it. Snakes, lizards, and turtles survive freezing temperatures by entering brumation, a dormancy similar to hibernation. From rocky crevices and burrows to muddy pond bottoms, these animals rely on shelter and biology to make it through the cold months.

By Jim Horton As summer temperatures soar across Indiana, a quiet shift takes place in the rhythms of the state’s cold-blooded residents. From the sun-drenched dunes of the north to the forested hills of the south, many of Indiana’s reptiles are flipping their schedules—trading sunbathing for moonlit movement. This seasonal behavior, known as nocturnality, is a survival strategy that helps reptiles beat the heat and stay active during the dog days of summer. Why the Switch to