Measuring a little over two inches in length, this hatchling brown anole was the surprise bonus in a local resident’s houseplant purchase. Native to the Caribbean, brown anoles have been introduced throughout Florida and now are making their way to other states as well. October 17, 2014 Anole Don’t you just love life’s little surprises?
Anole, Lizard, Reptile
July 11, 2014 No rattles, fangs or venom: This snake’s round pupil helps identify it as a nonvenomous western fox snake, Pantherophis vulpinus, a species that is locally common in areas throughout Kane County. Fox Snake I think it’s safe to say, most people in our area can recognize a garter snake. Smallish to medium
Fox Snake, Reptile, Snake
Who doesn’t love having a ball? Well, my friend Suzi, for one. Not that she’s a stick in the mud. Far from it! But the kind of ball we’re talking about isn’t a fun-filled, action-packed afternoon, nor an evening of delightful revelry. Nope, this sort of ball is Python regius, the ball python. Suzi’s story
Ball Python, Reptile, Snake
October 18, 2013 Bo the Boa Constrictor Regular readers of this space may recall the time, 2 ½ years ago, that I arranged to trade a few reptiles from my personal collection for assorted critters that would become display animals at the then yet-to-open Hickory Knolls Discovery Center. Using travel carriers and assorted plastic crates,
Boa Constrictor, Reptile, Snake
October 4, 2013 Water Snakes Holy Nerodia, Batman! The water snakes are everywhere! Okay, maybe “everywhere” is an exaggeration. But “everywhere there’s water” isn’t. Nerodia sipedon sipedon, the northern water snake, has been particularly prevalent this fall, with people up and down the Fox River (and its tributaries) reporting sightings of this medium-sized, blotchy-brown snake.
Reptile, Snake, Watersnakes
Pam’s Perspective From the… Pam Otto is the Manager of Natural Programs and Interpretive Services for the St. Charles Park District July 12, 2012 Except for one time, 25 years ago, when I found myself eating ice cream in a supermarket with Prince Andrew and his then-wife Sarah, the Duchess of York, my brushes with
Queen Snake, Reptile, Snake
Pam’s Perspective From the… Pam Otto is the Manager of Natural Programs and Interpretive Services for the St. Charles Park District June 7, 2013 Over the past three or four weeks, we’ve gotten several calls about turtles. Turtles wandering through back yards. Turtles wandering through front yards. A turtle that, at first glance, appeared to
Reptile, Shell, Turtles
Pam’s Perspective From the… Pam Otto is the Manager of Natural Programs and Interpretive Services for the St. Charles Park District November 30, 2012 Well, it happened again. Without even trying, we’ve managed to add yet another live animal to the displays at the Hickory Knolls Discovery Center. Some of you may remember the story
Reptile, Snake, Visitor
March 23, 2012 Maybe I’ve missed something over the past week, but somehow I think not. Nowhere, as far as I’ve seen, amid all the reports about flowers blooming, tree buds popping, birds singing, all sooner than expected, has anyone said anything about the snakes. Granted, our local species don’t have the vibrant, showy colors
Reptile, Scale, SnakesPam’s Perspective Pam Otto is the Manager of Nature Programs and Interpretive Services for the St. Charles Park District So, how do you get ready for winter? Have you dug out the long unders? Pulled on that favorite sweater? Put the turtles in the fridge? Okay, so maybe a naturalist’s winter preparation rituals are a
Blanding Turtles, Emydoidea blandingii, Reptile