Meet Hazel, age 16, Naturalist Extraordinaire.
This summer season, Hazel volunteered to lead naturalist walks throughout the week for visiting hotel and day guests. She is the daughter of two scientists and her family spends a good part of the summer staying at the Mountain Lake Biological Station here on the mountain. Miss Hazel has acquired a great wealth of knowledge over the years of the mountain ecology and many studies that take place here every year. The guests and staff have truly enjoyed learning from Hazel, and are most appreciative of her volunteer effort and passion for environmental stewardship.
Thank You, Hazel, for your wonderful walks this summer season!
We have a new friend of the Conservancy, Sylvia, the corn snake. Sylvia is a 4'6", female corn snake, age unknown. She was originally taken in by a Reptile Rescue Center in Christiansburg, VA, and then adopted by the Wildlife Society at Virginia Tech. Sylvia was housed in the lobby of Cheatham Hall in the College of Natural Resources. She is a fairly shy creature, however, and was recently taken out of Cheatham Hall and in need of a new owner. Sylvia's new home is now set up in the Conservancy Nature Center. She is adjusting nicely and we will keep you updated with pictures of her indoor habitat and reception from our visitors.
The Corn Snake,
Elaphe guttata, is native to the mid- to south-eastern United States. The corn snake's range is from southern New Jersey south through Florida, west into Louisiana and parts of Kentucky. However, this is not a common snake of Salt Pond Mountain. Corn snakes may be found in wooded groves, rocky hillsides, meadowlands, woodlots, barns, and abandoned buildings. This snake is not poisonous, and as pets they are generally docile and relaxed when handled. More information about the corn snake can be found here:
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/ReptilesAmphibians/Facts/FactSheets/Cornsnake.cfm
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