These pits harbour the largest concentration of Red-sided Garter Snakes in the world.
During winter, the snakes hibernate inside subterranean caverns formed by the area’s water-worn limestone bedrock.
These massive snake balls are everywhere - on ledges, tree limbs, on plants and on the ground.
Some mating balls slowly roll down rocks like tangled balls of twine.
There are four active snake dens at the Narcisse Wildlife Management Area.
The dens are connected by a three-kilometer self-guiding interpretive trail.
This tragedy triggered concern about the snakes' biannual migratory path, which cuts right across Highway 17.
This had not been a problem before, because the vast population compensated for the losses.
Foot-high snow fences were built to force snakes into 15-cm tunnels that went under Highway 17.
These measures worked, and now less than a thousand snakes per season are killed on the highway.
Photo credit
Sources:Globe and Mail,Wikipedia
