By Andrew Walsh
awalsh@wbcowqel.com
Wednesday night was snake night at Lowe-Volk Park as naturalist Josh Dyer educated local kids about garter snakes.
Far and away the most common snake in Crawford County, the garter snake is named for the stripes that run down its’ scales and resemble a woman’s garter. It comes in several varieties, and many different color patterns, but on the whole is pretty harmless to humans. That’s not to say that it will not bite, but Dyer attested that in his years of handling them that this is a pretty rare occurrence.
They are not poisonous, there are no poisonous snakes in Crawford County, and they mostly eat bugs and worms.
After giving some background info about this snake, Dyer escorted one around the room to give the kids a chance to see one up close, and provide the opportunity to handle if they wished. The snake he had with him was used to being handled and took well to the experience.
The highlight of the night was when day placed the snake on a tabletop and fed it earthworms. The kids huddled around the table as the garter snake took down three live earthworms. It was a pretty exciting experience for all those involved, with the possible exception of the earthworms themselves.
As an encore act, Dyer introduced an American toad to the tabletop and feed it as well. The kids watched in amazement as the famed toad tongue flicked out and snatched a worm.
When asked why he wanted to come to the show about snakes, Owen Zellner replied, “They are just fascinating.”
Not everyone may share Owen’s viewpoint when it comes to snakes, but the children in attendance sure seemed to be paying mighty strict attention what Dyer was saying, and what those snakes were eating.