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Thousands check out raptors and reptiles
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Dylan Yankowski had fun with a land turtle during Mill Creek MetroParks Farm’s Reptile and Raptor Exhibit Aug. 7.
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Ray Novotny, manager, Ford Nature Center and coordinator of the Mill Creek MetroParks Farm’s Reptile and Raptor Exhibit, held a black rat snake he hatched 14 years ago.
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Heather Merritt of Birds in Flight Sanctuary brought a red-tailed hawk to the Mill Creek MetroParks Farm’s Reptile and Raptor Exhibit Aug. 7.
By ABBY SLANKER
There was hissing, slithering and ruffled feathers at Mill Creek MetroParks Farm’s Reptile and Raptor Exhibit Aug. 7. Reptiles and raptors at the exhibit included snakes, lizards, land turtles, an alligator, a red-tailed hawk, a Harris’ hawk, a barn owl and a screech owl.
Members of the Northern Ohio Association of Herpetologists (NOAH) and Keith Gisser of Herps Alive brought such creatures as a rainbow boa, a corn snake, a red tail boa and king snakes to display and Heather Merritt of Birds in Flight Sanctuary brought her birds of prey.
Mill Creek MetroParks also had their own display, which included a black rat snake.
According to Ray Novotny, manager, Ford Nature Center and coordinator of the exhibit, it was the 13th year for the event and he estimated around 2,000 people came through the displays.
“This is my big day of the year. When I discovered my love for snakes at 12 years old, it led to my career. I get to celebrate these creatures with a couple thousand people today,” Novotny said.
Attendees also had the opportunity to pet the creatures under the supervision of the herpetologists and ask questions and take pictures.
Children made a rattle snake craft using pipe cleaners and corn in a tube to simulate the rattle. They decorated a snake head any way they wanted with markers. Children could also choose a snake tattoo that was applied by a MetroParks volunteer and color pictures of creatures.