!["Reptiles go through a period called brumation [...] they're going to need to build up their fat reserves so they can survive the winter," said a nature scientist.](https://media.newswest9.com/assets/KWES/images/54cde0ab-b818-4de5-98c9-fdebd35ea729/20240913T005418/54cde0ab-b818-4de5-98c9-fdebd35ea729_1920x1080.jpg)
MIDLAND, Texas — If you live in West Texas and you've been encountering snakes more often, don't worry you're not crazy. There's actually some science behind it.
According to Michael Nickell, a naturalist and museum scientist at the Sibley Nature Center in Midland, as the fall and winter seasons are approaching, "snakes are going to need to build up their fat reserves so they can survive the winter."
Nickell said the snake species is preparing for brumation. Similar to hibernation, but instead, reptiles still wake up and reach the surface on occasions.
West Texas is home to a large number of snake species, according to Nickell.
"The ones that I think are most commonly encountered are going to be the western diamondback rattlesnakes and also the bull snakes," Nickell said. "The western diamondback rattlesnake is a pit viper and it's a very dangerous reptile, highly venomous, whereas a bull snake might be kind of temperamental and easily aggravated, but it's not venomous at all."
Both species of snakes share similar types of diamond shape markings. However, Nickell said rattlesnakes generally have a wider body and have flatter underbellies. The rattlesnake also has a more flattened head.
Bull snakes have more rounded heads and rounded underbellies in their body cross section.
"I encourage everybody that lives here to learn about more species because this is snake habitat," Nickell said. "There's all kinds of literature available, good field guide books, pamphlets and things like that that can point out characteristics so that you can easily identify different kinds of snakes."
Nickell said some of the best ways to prevent getting bit include not attempting to kill the snake if you encounter one. Also, don't try to pick it up.
"Don't ever stick any part of your body, not a foot, not a hand, into a place where you can't see clearly at least three feet around you in all directions," said Nickell.
The snake species in West Texas are important as many are ambush predators that help keep the rodent and rabbit populations down.
Smaller snakes can also help keep certain species of insect populations down as well.
According to Nickell, snakes in West Texas will be less in sight when the temperatures start cooling down. This is when they're more likely to be in their boroughs by then.