Darke County Parks
S is for Snakes 

Thank you to all of the Park Pals who were able to make it out for the Darke County Parks’ monthly PALS (Practicing And Learning Stewardship) program in May.  Our topic was S is for Snakes. During the program, we talked about what makes a snake a snake and how these reptiles survive this dangerous world.  We headed outside to search for snakes, but we had a cool cloudy morning for Pals, which left all the snakes in their homes trying to keep warm.  However, on our walk back we collected several earth worms to feed the Parks’ Brown Snake and Box Turtle.   We gathered in the Live Classroom where everyone was able to touch/feel the Black Rat Snake.   

The next item on our agenda was to help with the feeding of the Reptiles and Amphibians. As the Park Pals watched intently, Parks’ Volunteer, Masen Rich fed the Corn Snake and were delighted as it gobbled up two mice right away. The Pals thought it was neat to see and couldn’t believe snakes only eat once a week.  Then we got the Box Turtle out and everyone watched him eat the earthworms and then an apple.  We wrapped up the day by making our very own Strawberry and Banana Snakes.   

If you missed out on May’s Park Pals, please be sure to join us for June’s Park Pals on Saturday, June 8th for Frogs, Turtles and Snakes from 9:30-12:00.   This program is for children in Kindergarten through 2nd grade.  For more information call the Nature Center at 937.548.0165 or visit our website at www.darkecountyparks.org