Let's Explore; Snakes, Turtles oh my!

We took the kids over to Croyden Creek Nature Reserve this week, and had the best time!

Just minutes away from Rockville Town Center are 120 acres of beautifully preserved forest, open meadow areas, and a winding creek bustling with a variety of wildlife. The City of Rockville has added a feature to this natural wonder "The Croydon Creek Nature Center". Filled with excitement and discovery, the nature center highlights nature in the urban setting. Interesting exhibits and informative programs provide educational opportunities to help visitors understand the importance of thinking globally and acting locally.

Snakes and turtles, oh my!
Homer was named in honor of being found on the stage at Hometown Holidays 2001. Found as a juvenile, Homer, a black rat snake, had gray markings with black blotches and was only 18 inches long. Today, he measures over 5 feet in length. Black rat snakes, Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta, are Maryland's largest snake species. The average is between 6 and 8 feet long.

Homer woke up while we were all playing with puzzles, and soft toys and gave us a show by slithering up the wall, and showing the kids plenty of tongue action! They were all very impressed with his athletic capabilities!

Rover is an Eastern box turtle who received his name by virtue of having a dog eat part of his carapace (top shell). Without these crucial couple of inches, Rover would be a sitting snack for any raccoon, fox or dog since there is nothing to protect his head or front legs. Rover and Carolina, our female box turtle, will live out their entire lives at the nature center, which could be another 80 years!

Currently, the nature center is also home to 4 different species of water turtles, 4 species of snakes, a salamander, toads, tree frogs and insects, all native to this area. Most of our captive animals are permanently injured and could not survive in the wild.

The nature center had lots for little hands to do. The kids enjoyed playing with the canisters filled with various seeds & rice, and loved the noise each of them made! They loved watching the turtles swim, and touching the gorgeous mosiac wall.

Outside the nature center, Rockville Civic Center Park offers marked and unmarked trails through the forest and by the creek for hikers of all ages to explore the natural beauty of the park. Unfortunately it's too "off road" for strollers! We took advantage of the lush lawns of Rockville Mansion, and the kids got to play in the two parks.

They loved the tire swings, and shooting down the slides! The walk there and back across the open grassy areas was enough to tire them out!! Mission accomplished!