in large aggregations in traditionally-used sites. Often these hibemacula are used by several 

 species, and mating takes place at the den site. Snakes then move out for up to 10 km for the 

 summer, returning in the fall. These sites are typically on south-facing slopes in areas where 

 snakes can get well down into an area of fractured rock, often near cliffs or in talus. While these 

 sites are robust, road building or mining may nonetheless destroy them. Den sites should be 

 protected and data relating to their locations kept where successive biologists have access to 

 them. 



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