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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

Indiana is home to 4 venomous snakes. Learn how to identify them, where they live, and what to do if bitten. Stay safe, stay informed!

Snake Fest 2024 at Brown County Indiana was a great success! We hope to see you there next year!

Dive into our blog on water snakes and learn why they're often mistaken for cottonmouths. Discover tips to tell them apart!

Explore our blog on snakes in movies and media! Discover iconic scenes and memorable characters that have slithered into Hollywood fame.

Explore the depths of ophidiophobia in "Snakes Through the Ages" or "Fear & Loathing in the Celtic World".

By Mary A. Hylton Snakes’ bodies are designed to lie close to the ground. They also routinely shed their skins. The combination of these two attributes have thus characterized them as symbols of both the Underworld—the dwelling place of the dead (because they spend so much time in pits and below the earth, or hiding under rocks) and of Rebirth, Rejuvenation, Immortality, and to that end, Wisdom. Of Biblical Proportions! Perhaps the most well-known—and notorious—serpent appear

By Ed Ferrer As a "herp" hobbyist, I have kept a good number of large "constricting" snakes. Although the public often thinks of constricting snakes as huge pythons or boas, many snakes subdue their prey by constriction. That includes corn snakes, and other rat snakes, king snakes, milk snakes and many others. But the large snakes always capture the public's imagination. When I did educational programs for schools, libraries, and other groups the hands down favorites of my au

By Mary A. Hylton Mythology has always fascinated me and so when it came time to choose a particular focus for this article, I thought it might be fun to explore snakes and the roles they have played in ancient cultures—zeroing in on their powerful and unique symbolism. The following article is the first in a series centered around the theme of serpentine mythology—delving into their significance across different cultures, religions and tribes. I realize this may not be every