Special MW Friends

Meet Carson!

Carson the tortoise is the newest reptile in the Makemie Woods environmental awareness program.  An African Sulcata tortoise, he came to MW from a shelter in Cincinnati Ohio.  He and his reptile friends had been part of a children’s museum live exhibit that was discontinued. 

Carson is very young for a tortoise—he weighs about 35 lbs and is about 10 years old.  When fully grown, he could weigh 150 lbs!  Most likely he will outlive all of us, as sulcata tortoises typically live over 100 years.

Carson is a vegetarian and eats grass, clover, and dandelions—his favorite treats are pumpkin and watermelon.  He lives at Makemie Woods in a special fenced area near the summer campsites, and he has a heated shed for the cold winter months.  He seems quite content with his habitat and his MW friends,  a great improvement over the small concrete box he used to live in.

 Carson can be quite sociable, and helps us teach about the environment, habitat destruction, and pet care.  He has graced the photographs of many camper groups.  Come meet him and watch him grow up!

 

 

 

The snakes of Makemie woods

 

Thank you for coming to meet our snakes.  If you are a

teacher, youth director, scout leader, or any other programmatic person,

we would be more than happy to bring our snakes to visit with you in person. 

If you are a Makemie Woods rental group and would like to visit with our snakes as part of your stay, please just let us know.  And if you will be joining us this summer, you'll see plenty of our scaly friends (only if you choose, though!).

 

 

Houdini the corn snake

 

This little charmer is Houdini.  Houdini was our first snake, and she has definitely earned her name!  Don't worry, she now lives in a high security cage with no chance of escape.  Houdini is a corn snake, and one of the gentlest creatures you will ever meet.  She's a great snake for the uncertain participant.  Right now, Houdini is about four feet long, and about an inch wide.  Her favorite activities include crawling up sleeves, playing in file folders, sleeping under her turf, and playing with her reflection (it just never gets old!)..

 

 

                                             

Witherspoon is our international addition! She is an African ball python, which means she'll coil up into a ball if she feels threatened or nervous. She has beautiful markings, and weighs almost three pounds. She's just under four feet long, and while she might look imposing, she's actually very friendly (she was raised by a 9-year-old girl).  Witherspoon's favorite activities are hanging out on her tree and taking baths. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Boys!

This amazing duo is better known as Oscar and Pumpkin (we bet you can figure out who is who).  Oscar and Pumpkin are also corn snakes, and they grew up together in the Norfolk zoo before coming to join us at camp.  Oscar is our longest snake, with Pumpkin right behind, although they aren't too much bigger than Houdini.  Both of these boys are a little more mischievous, but just as sweet.  Also, they are pigs and love to eat more than their fair share.

 

 

 

                     

                 Rescue came to MW one rainy night, and we

                 have enjoyed each other's company ever since. 

                 He is about three years old and growing everyday. 

                 Rescue is a very laid back python and enjoys

                 coiling up in pockets.

                                                                                                       

 

 

 

Spot is a California King Snake.  Before coming to MW, Spot spent time in a classroom where he got to enjoy the presence

of children everyday.  He is almost four feet long.  He enjoys hanging out in his cardboard box in his tank, banging his head on the wire   lid, and listening to music.

 

 

 

 

A note about the Makemie Woods snake program:  Makemie Woods only keeps non-venomous snakes, captive-bred snakes, and none of our snakes have ever bitten anyone.  Safety is our first concern at all times.  Only staff who have been trained to handle these snakes will conduct a snake program.

For more information, or to schedule a visit with or from our snakes,
please call Sherri at 800.566.1496 or email her at sherri@makwoods.org.

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