How can a snake survive cold weather?

Question

How can a snake survive cold weather?

Answer 1

Snakes have the ability to adjust their heart rate,and can lower their blood pressure according to the climate.

Answer 2

Being cold-blooded (ectothermic), the surrounding temperature plays a large role in a snake's digestion. 30 degrees Celsius is the ideal temperature for snakes to digest their food... they don't live in cold areas.  

Answer 3

Snakes can and do live in climates that get cold.  The entire upper half of the U.S. for example.

In the winter, snakes will travel underground (where the temperature is more consistent) into "dens" where along with dozens, hundreds or even thousands of other snakes they all "ball up" to conserve whatever heat is available.  They are cold-blooded so the heart rate and metabolism slows tremendously to conserve energy.

Check out this picture of a den of garter snakes  

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mukluk/2399...