Snakes are cold-blooded and take on the temperature of their surroundings.
The snake shown in these images was in direct sunlight, however it was still a
bit cooler than the person holding it.
Snakes warm up by lying in sunlight. This increases the snake's energy level,
making it easier for the snake to defend itself or make a hasty retreat.
The large surface area of a snake's body allows a snake to warm up and cool
down faster. Snakes will often coil their bodies to control the amount of skin
exposed to sunlight.
Snakes cool down by seeking cooler shaded areas and during very hot weather seek
shelter under rocks or underground. During long periods of cold weather, snakes
often hibernate.
