Mortality of newborns is caused by predation, lack of food and freezing. Active from late March through early October, with increased surface activity through early October. Gestation is around 5 months. Litter size averages 5-6 young. Birth is in August.
Adults prey primarily on small mammals and lizards, and occassionally consume birds.
Juveniles prey primarily on lizards and giant centipedes. Predation, starvation, and disease. Freezing may not be a real big source of martality.