Rock Eagle 4-H Center: Environmental Education
Meet our Animals - Reptiles
Turtles, lizards, snakes, and alligators are all considered reptiles. See who lives at Rock Eagle below!
"Digger"
Common Name: Gopher Tortoise
Scientific Name: Gopherus polyphemus
Info: Gopher Tortoises are land turtles that live in dry, sandy places near woods or grass. They burrow underground 10 to 50 ft. These burrows provide homes for many other species. Being a vegetarian, they feed primarily on grasses and weeds, though they do enjoy fruits and mushrooms. They may live to be 70+ years in age. Gopher Tortoises are also the Georgia state reptile.
"Erwin & Later Gator"
Common Name: American Alligator
Scientific Name: Alligator mississippiensis
Info: American Alligators typically reach 13-14 feet in length, though record length is about 19.8 feet. They are found in the Gulf and lower Atlantic coastal plains as well as Florida. They tend to stay in fresh water swamps and marshes, though they are found in lakes and rivers. Alligators have approximately 80 teeth in their mouth at one time. At one time they were an endangered species, due to over hunting. Now there is an estimated one million wild North American Alligators.
"Glover"
Common Name: Eastern King Snake
Scientific Name: Lampropeltis getulus
Info: King snakes range in length from 36-48 inches. They are easily identifiable by their yellow stripe markings. These snakes are strong constrictors that are equipped with an immunity against many venomous snakes. They sometimes eat rattlesnakes, copperheads, and coral snakes. Eastern King snakes inhabit the Coastal Plain, Piedmont, and occasionally they are found in the mountains. This species is present in most wooded environments, but they are more common around bodies of water.
"Susie"
Common Name: Western Hognose
Scientific Name: Heterodon nasicus
Info: The Western Hognose is a non-native species of Georgia. Their native area ranges from south-central Canada, south to southeast Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, southward into Mexico. The western hognose snake uses its upturned snout to burrow through the earth in search of toads, its principal food. This snake has one of the most elaborate bluff behaviors in the snake world. When threatened, the snake flattens the skin on its neck giving it a hooded appearance. It then takes a huge breath, inflating its body dramatically, and releases the air with a loud hissing noise. If continually threatened the snake will turn over on it's back pretending to be dead.
"Ellie"
Common Name: Grey Rat Snake
Scientific Name: Elaphe obsoleta spiloites
Info: Grey rat snakes are large and commonly the most encountered snake in rural farming areas. They are well adapted to climbing and are often found in the rafters of barns, perched up on things in garages, or in trees. In the springtime, they can be seen sunning themselves in the morning and if near water, basking on branches that overhang the water.
