The Lake Metroparks ecosystem is home to a plethora of interesting cold-blooded creatures

By Mimi Vanderhaven

What do Indiana Jones and Harrison Ford have in common?

They’re both deathly afraid of snakes.

But it turns out that despite the fear factor Hollywood tries to perpetrate, snakes, reptiles and amphibians are actually sensitive, docile, love to be around people and play a vital part in the ecosystem they occupy.

Mimi caught up with Nicholas Gaye, Interpretive Naturalist and all-around reptile guru at Lake Metroparks for a better appreciation of these often-misinterpreted creatures.

“We use the all-encompassing term herptiles to describe both amphibians and reptiles—in other words, cold-blooded critters like snakes, frogs, salamanders, turtles and lizards,” he says. “One of the key reasons herps are so important is because they act as ‘indicator species.’ Due to their sensitivity to pollutants and changing environmental conditions, they help us gain a clearer understanding of how healthy our ecosystem is. They are like the proverbial canary in the coal mine.”

Here in Lake County, Nicholas reports there’s a vast cast of characters waiting outside your door to explore.

“I recommend adventurers take a back seat and observe rather than interact with herps,” he says. “Locally, you’re likely to spy Eastern Red-backed Salamanders and distinctive black-and-white northern slimy salamanders. And if you hear a loud trilling sound, that’s probably coming from toads, as it’s mating season now and that’s how they attract potential mates.” (Sort of like Tinder for herps.)

If you’d like to meet Nicholas and find out more, mark your summer calendar for Sunday, August 25. Penitentiary Glen is hosting a program called “Snakes, Turtles & More: Hungry, Hungry Herps!” from Noon-4 p.m. Thanks to a partnership with Herps Alive, you can get up close and personal with these fascinating creatures.

“Kids ages 3 and up will get to meet animals such as an exotic black-and-white Tegu lizard from Argentina,” he says. “It’s about the size of a small dog and has a unique personality just like a dog too.”

Penitentiary Glen Reservation is located at 8668 Kirtland Chardon Road in Kirtland. There is no registration for “Snakes, Turtles & More” and the event is free to the public. For more information visit LakeMetroparks.com.