Snake Walk 08

This past Saturday we found oen garter snake and one brown snake on our first snake walk of the year. Thanks Pat Tirabasso for helping out!

another successful snake walk

Another successful snake walk today! About 48 people joined us as we flipped tins and looked for snakes. We found at least 10 snakes - mostly young garter snakes. The picture above is a few of the snakes we found under one tin. Garter snakes often secrete a foul smelling musk when handled - luckily, today's snakes were fairly "stink free".

This young garter snake is getting ready to shed. His eyes appear milky because fluid has accumulated under his old scales. This fluid softens the old skin, making it easier to shed. Garter snakes were named for the stripes that run along their bodies which look like sock garters worn my men in the "good old days".

Thanks to everyone who came on the hike today!

PS - the small brown snake we found was a young northern brown snake (not a redbelly) - the young brown snakes have a small light ring around their necks.

Snake Walk

This morning was our very first-ever snake walk. Thanks to everyone (all 43 of you) who showed up! We found two snakes, pictured below, a Brown Snake and an Eastern Garter Snake. Both snakes musked heavily, so everyone was able to get their very own wiff. We checked the tin coverboards, but no snakes had taken refuge under them.

Tadpole Lunch - Yummy!

Garaway Elementary 3rd graders saw this water snake catch a bullfrog tadpole during their Pond Study class here on Thursday. Water snakes can be found most days at the small pond, sunning themselves or catching tadpoles. These are not Water Moccasins - there are no water moccasins in Ohio. Our Northern Water Snakes are non-venomous. Thanks Mrs. Borter for sending me the pictures!

The snakes are back!

The snakes are back! Today this young black rat snake was sunning himself on the shrubs in front of the interpretive building. I also spotted three garter snakes in the fields by the pioneer path.

Shed a little light on snakes

Most snakes are still hibernating (brumating), but that didn't keep this young rat snake from seeking out some warmth in the office. We found it poking its head out from the light fixture above naturalist Lynda's desk. While in some offices this might be a cause for consterantion, here it was all excitement (like a little mini Christmas present!). We have not seen it for a while now, but hope is is safe and warm in the walls of the building...

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