Snakes are now front and center at the Stone Zoo
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
http://www2.townonline.com/stoneham/...ticleid=102148
Snakes are curious animals. Believed by scientists to have evolved from lizards, these reptiles come in many different lengths, colors and degrees of lethalness. Most species of snakes are non-poisonous and benefit humanity greatly by keeping the populations of small mammals in check. Snakes are often a welcome member of the farming community as they help control the pest populations. There are over 2,000 species of snakes.
Snakes are found in an amazing array of habitats. From the tropical forests to the rocky cliffs of Colorado, and the ocean depths to the Arctic Circle snakes can be found. Antarctica is the only continent void of snakes and as one moves closer to the Arctic pole, the extreme cold prevents snakes from living in this habitat. We have a variety of snakes in Massachusetts including a few poisonous species such as the timber rattlesnake and copperheads; however most of our species are non-poisonous.
This time of year, snakes in New England will begin their search for protected sites where they will winter in a state of reduced activity, similar in many ways to hibernation. Because snakes are ectothermic or unable to produce body heat, they need the sun or warm objects to heat their bodies. In order to survive the colder temperatures, snakes look for shelter underground in caves, crevices or tunnels below the freezing level. Some species of snakes will "winter" by themselves while other species, such as the timber rattlesnake, will spend the colder seasons in dens with up to 50 other snakes.
At Stone Zoo, we have several different species of snakes: black rat snake,
corn snake, rosy boa and two boa constrictors. While the black rat snake can be found naturally occurring in western Massachusetts, the other snakes hail from warmer climates. Snakes are remarkable in that some species of snakes lay eggs (the rat snakes) while other species have live births (boa constrictors). There is one thing that they all have in common, an undeserved reputation for being slimy. Snake bodies are actually covered with scales and feel dry and smooth to the touch. This outer layer of skin protects the snake from dehydration and may be shed several times a year.
We hope you will stop by the Stone Zoo and visit our snake collection to learn more about these curious reptiles.
Cynthia Mead is a director and vice-president at Zoo New England's Stone Zoo.
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