Dear friend,
June has arrived and summer is right around the corner, making this a perfect time to jump into all that Centred Outdoors has to offer to adventure-seekers of all ages and experience levels!
Can you name the three types of reptiles in Pennsylvania? After reading about this week's topic you'll be able to answer this question and learn about three places where you might just find a reptile or two. Also, be sure to check out this week's indoor activity for a lesson in creating your own bottle turtle!
E
ngaging in outdoor activity is an allowable activity under all colors of Pennsylvania's phased reopening plan, just be sure to check all
current updates and recommendations
before heading out for your next trip. Stay tuned via this newsletter for information about virtual events we'll be hosting and for updates to season four of Centred Outdoors!
Stress less, explore more with Centred Outdoors!
Dan Trew, Adventure Coordinator
and everyone at ClearWater Conservancy
P.S. Even though we can't gather for guided hikes at this time, we'd still love to hear about your Centred Outdoors adventures! Please email your stories and photos to adventure@clearwaterconservancy.org or tag @centredoutdoors and #findyourcentre in your social posts!
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Your weekly health tip from Mount Nittany Health
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Mother Nature is a mood booster. Research has shown a connection between time spent outdoors and an increased sense of positivity and wellness. Spending just 20 minutes in a park, even if not exercising, is enough to improve your sense of well-being.
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Topic of the Week: Reptiles of PA
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Learn something new
Across every biome, there is a wide assortment of three types of reptiles in Pennsylvania; turtles, lizards, and snakes. There are around 10,000 species of reptiles, considerably fewer than there are of mammals, birds, and even fish. Reptiles depend on specific environments to thrive, and preservation of their biodiversity is paramount for maintaining healthy, balanced ecosystems.
Reptiles and amphibians are often grouped together, but they diverged about 300 million years ago. There are two major differences between reptiles and amphibians. First, reptiles are covered in scales, or scutes such as the plates that make up a turtle’s shell. Amphibians on the other hand have smooth skin that is essential for them to “breathe” through. The second major difference is that most reptiles lay self-contained eggs on land, while amphibians lay eggs in the water. After the eggs hatch, the young go through an aquatic stage (think tadpoles) and breathe through gills before becoming adults.
Reptiles can be divvied into whether they prefer to be on land—terrestrial—or prefer to swim around—aquatic. However, some aquatic species can be found on land, and some terrestrial species can be found in the water. Their primary habitats tend to determine their food sources, followed by their size. Turtles exhibit the broadest palate and will eat pretty much anything they grab a hold of, from earthworms to fungi. All of Pennsylvania’s lizards are fairly small, making them keen for tracking down insects and other bugs. Smaller snakes stalk worms, crickets, but as they get longer their hunting strategies might change to favor birds, their nests, and/or more aloof mice and voles.
While no reptiles would ever consider prey even remotely close to the size of a human, this doesn't mean they are docile creatures. Water snakes are notoriously vicious when cornered and will strike at anyone trying to pick them up or handle them, and while not venomous, their saliva contains anti-coagulant which can cause excessive bleeding. Snapping turtles, too, can strike out defensively from a full body-length away. All that is to say, don’t accost reptiles and they won’t tussle with you.
A large percentage of Pennsylvania's reptiles are considered
Species of Special Concern
. While there are no formal protections in place for this designation, their conservation is achieved via policy and not regulation. The primary threat to these reptiles is loss of habitat due to human uses and climate change. Specific habitat or areas that are found to contain these special folks are often designated as important reptile habitats and selected for land and water conservation efforts to stabilize populations.
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Tips & Tricks
Reptiles can be found most places, but they are excellent hiders and most prefer to remain unnoticed by predators and people. Encounters between people and reptiles are rare outside of the realm of the slow-moving and often territorially bound turtles. You’re most likely to see a reptile in the wild on hot and sunny days when the more mobile varieties can move easily from sunning spot to sunning spot.
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Choose your own adventure!
For adventurers looking to spy a reptile in action, the lakes in our region offer the best opportunity. Here you might f
ind aquatic species of turtles sunbathing on platforms constructed specifically for this very
purpose.
Black Moshannon State Park
has several turtle viewing areas along its boardwalk and lake-side trails. For a comfortable, sunny walk with informative signage, try the .5-mile Bog Trail where you’ll overlook a beautiful bog teeming with interesting plants as you stroll the boardwalk. The Lake Loop Trail is in this same area as the Bog Trail and makes for a relaxing adventure on the opposite end of the lake. The trail hugs the lake’s edge closely for most of the .7-mile loop and is mostly under the cool, damp shade of the lakeside trees. One could easily cover both trails in one day with the help of a hearty snack or picnic between walks. Explorers with boats and valid permits can even take to the water to explore further into the lilies and other plant matter that support turtles and other wildlife.
Bald Eagle State Park
has numerous platforms constructed across the length of its lake, Foster Joseph Sayers Lake, where snapping turtles might be found. Consider trying the 2-mile Woapalanne Path, designated as an easy hike, for the closest view of the lake and its abundant wildlife. This path is great for birdwatching as well, so bring your binoculars along.
Colyer Lake
, in Centre Hall, PA offers another loop trail, this one 2.5 miles, where you may spot a sunbathing turtle on a fish habitat structure put in place the PA Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC). You’ll cross a few small streams on this longer trail, which can be accessed from the PFBC Parking Lot located at the end of Lingle Road. Visitors come to Coyler Lake to fish, hike, horseback ride and take their electric-powered and unmotorized boats out for a ride, so expect to see plenty of activity here.
What to bring on your adventure:
- A refillable water bottle
- Sturdy and water-resistant footwear
- Long pants and high socks may be preferred for additional protection from insects and ticks
- Child carrier/backpack is recommended for very young children
- Binoculars for bird and wildlife watchers
- A light snack or picnic lunch
Remember:
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At-home adventure:
Create a Recyclable Turtle!
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Click the above image for directions in how to create your turtle from a recycled bottle!
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Step out and explore
What's your unique way of enjoying and exploring nature? We'd love to see photos of your adventures and hear about your experiences. Please email your photos and stories to Dan Trew, adventure coordinator: adventure@clearwaterconservancy.org. With your permission we'll share them in upcoming issues!
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