FWNC

After a long winter slumber, the snakes are stretching and ready to make their spring and summer return all across the Refuge. Have no fear, they do not want to have anything to do with you. Just like you, they would appreciate the distance. The Nature Center is home to many species of  non-venomous snakes such as the Texas rat snake and Western coachwhip and venomous snakes such as Copperheads and Cottonmouths. Many people have a fear of snakes. People’s fear stem from some snakes being venomous, they have heard bad stories about snakes or they have adopted another person’s fear. Regardless of the reason, fear can come from a lack of education and understanding about snakes. 

For many years on Memorial Day weekend, the Nature Center  has hosted a group called the Dallas-Fort Worth Herpetological Society. They bring in species of snakes you can find at the Nature Center and throughout Tarrant County. The event is called “Snakes of Tarrant County” and it is a fun event for all ages. This is a great chance to get a safe look at some of the local snakes in our area and ask the experts about these reptiles and other herps (reptiles and amphibians). While you are looking at the snakes, kids can participate in planned activities.