Snacks for Snakes

Snacks for Snakes

July 10, 2011

 

After attending the “Snakes Alive” event at Martin Dies State Park, we just had to come back the next day to watch the snake feeding.

 

 

Arriving early (as we always do where ever we go) has been a blessed chance to explore the exhibits freely before others show up. Ms. Katherine took the time to show the kids her “Curiosity Boxes” full of neat things about nature, for example one contained an Owl Pellet which I mistakenly thought was scat at first.

 

Of course it was just a matter of time before we did get to the “scat box” and discuss which scat belonged to which animal. Now that is a well trained teacher to be able to get kids interested in learning about poo!

 

 

The other people arrived and the kids all settled around the table waiting for her to bring out the Corn Snake.

Matt petting the snake.

 

Everyone got a chance to feel the its smooth cool skin.

 

Austin petting the snake.

 

Of course Austin starts with the “Mom, can I have one,” which I quickly squash his hopes on that!

 

 

Ms. Katherine told us many interesting things about the Corn Snake, why they are called “Corn Snake”, the story of these two snakes, and many other facts I did not know.  Then it was feeding time, it spooked all of us when the snake struck the dead mouse!

 

 

Feeling the vibrations of the kids wiggling the table made the snake think that the mouse was still alive so it instinctively constricted around it.

 

 

 

Then we learned several things about alligators, like their body structure, skin texture, and camouflaged  babies.

 

Anna feeling the alligators back.

 

Then she carefully brought the baby alligator around for all of us to touch and feel.

 

Adam petting the gator.

 

I would go into the details about what we learned but I am hoping only to interest you enough to want to go and see for yourself, which I highly recommend.

 

The snakes eat once a week so, if you do get a chance to visit Martin Dies Jr. State park on a Sunday Morning between 11:00AM and 12:00 PM, stop by and watch the snakes snack on some mice.

 

Oh, and remember to put a little something in the donation box by the door as you pass by, the snakes will appreciate you buying their lunch!