How does a cold-blooded snake get warm inside a house?
Cold-blooded animals have to find an external heat source to warm their bodies. Outdoors that source would typically be the sun.
But if a snake gets into a house, how can he get warm?
Opening a closet in a basement room to evaluate the panel box, I looked above and saw this.
At first glance I did not know what it was! Then, looking further, it appeared to be black snake!
Stepping back to look above him, I could see his head and eyes. He was posing for me, and smiling!
And there he was wrapped entirely around a transformer! Usually transformers do not get very warm.
And I suspected this transformer must be warm enough to attract the snake, but did not know what that temperature might be.
So I broke out Mighty Mo.
It turns out the transformer was around 99F!
And looking at the snake, he is in the 80s and 90s F.
This black snake is a couple of years old. Apparently one winter he came indoors to seek warmth and hunt, and indeed found a warm spot. Remembering it, this must be his quiet, dark, warm day spa! I suspect he comes here often.
My recommendation: animals do not think like you and I do, but have been blessed with instincts to help them in their daily lives. This snake is acting on instinct, and doing what he does best. He is staying alive! And I did not disturb him!
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