“Beware of snakes.” Many people have probably been taken aback by the rather unusual road sign at Öby Hill, next to the bird sanctuary Kvismaren. Most people have seen signs warning of dogs. Likewise, road signs urging drivers to keep an eye out for moose and other wildlife. But snakes?
Anyone who imagines huge cobras suddenly attacking unsuspecting motorists can rest easy. The snakes at Öby Kulle are anything but aggressive. Moreover, most of them aren’t out slithering around on public roads. Nor do they seem to pay much attention to all the visitors eagerly searching for them. They’re too busy trying to wake up.
Hibernates in the burrows of the colony
Unlike us humans, snakes are cold-blooded. Or, to put it more dramatically: “cold-blooded.” Since they don’t generate their own heat, they depend on the temperature of their surroundings. During the cold winter, our Swedish snakes hibernate underground. When spring arrives, they slowly wake up and seek out warm places. Places where they can warm themselves, quite simply.
Öby Hill is one such place. Hundreds of snakes spend the winter in the hill’s hollows and tunnels. When spring arrives, they make their way out onto the slope, where they let the sun slowly warm their cold bodies. Often together. If you’ve ever wondered where the term “snake pit” comes from, here’s your answer. To warm up faster, snakes like to coil themselves together—often into massive tangles that make even the most intractable headphone knot seem like a simple knot.
An exciting nature experience in Örebro
The snakes on Öby Hill include both grass snakes and venomous vipers. This might make some people hesitate before visiting. No need to worry. In the spring , the snakes on Öby Hill are about as energetic and interested in their surroundings as sleep-deprived teenagers. Visitors who show respect and stick to the marked trails therefore have nothing to fear. Under the warm spring sun, they can peacefully continue to experience one of the Örebro region’s most distinctive natural phenomena.
How to Get Here
- Where? Öby kulle, Norrbyås 445, Örebro. View the location on Google Maps.
- When? When the spring sun comes out, usually in April.
More signs of spring in Örebro
Find your way to the spring flowers
5 Birdwatching Spots in Örebro
Two experiences in one outing
More inspiration for nature and adventure
