These Canadian snake pits are the largest of their kind in the world
Via New York Times/Aaron Vincent ElkaimVia National GeographicVia Travel ManitobaVia Atlas Obscure
Does a ghost town overrun with writhing snakes sound like nightmare fuel or a cool weekend trip? Depending what kind of person you are, the Manitoba town of Narcisse and its snake pits will either terrify or amaze you.
This town is no more than a couple of abandoned buildings and 70,000 snakes. Once a year, when the weather is just right and the stars align, something insane happens. Giant sinkholes in the earth might appear to be covered with vegetation at first. Is it… moving? What’s that, wind through the trees? No, that sound comes from thousands and thousands of snakes slithering against one another.
Okay, we’re not trying to panic you. These snakes aren’t dangerous- in fact, you’re welcome to gently touch and handle them. Although, diving elbow-deep into a pit of snakes to make a new friend might not be enticing to you at all. We wouldn’t blame you.
This is assumed to be the largest grouping of snakes in the world. People come from all over the world to see the snakes, and this is sounding more and more like a dystopian reality as we write it.
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So, why the party? The snakes come alive to breed. Another terrifying fact, ladies: there are 100 male snakes for every female snake in these pits. If you spot giant balls of snakes wrapped around each other, there’s a female in there somewhere. You get the deal.
We could speak more about how the limestone and thin topsoil lends to the sinkholes, or how the winter temperature is perfect for snakes, etc etc. However, we’re just never going to be over the fact that once a year, a small ghost town in Manitoba is literally filled with giant pits of snakes.
Are we in a movie?
If you wish to see the Narcisse snake pits in real life, we don’t understand you. Although, the best information we can give is that it usually starts in May and lasts for ten days. Have fun! We’ll stay at home, safe from 70,000 snakes.
