Larger species rely on frogs, toads, and salamanders. Still other species eat birds and mice. In turn, snakes are an important food for animals higher in the food chain. Enemies include raccoons, skunks, hawks, and other predatory birds. In winter, snakes seek shelter from the cold weather.
Snakes crawl into abandoned groundhog holes or caves, and under logs or rocks.
In Manitoba some caves are called snake pits because thousands of garter snakes spend the winter together. Mating takes place in the spring. The male snakes use their sense of smell to locate the females. Most snakes lay eggs but this isn't always true. Snakes such as the red-belled snake and eastern garter snake give birth to live young.