Pisani, George R. and Henry S. Fitch. I had a cooper head on my mantal when I woke up one morning. These snakes are also mostly nocturnal, and they can survive in colder weather more easily than other rattlesnakes. Their diet mainly consists of small mammals, and these rattlesnakes specifically tend to eat rodents more than anything else. Phylogenetically diverse diets favor more complex venoms in North American pitvipers. Cope, Edward D. The crocodilians, lizards and snakes of North America. Both species are rarely found, making run-ins with humans few and far between. They frequent places with dense vegetation near reliable water sources. Rodents make up the bulk of their diet. Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Pratt, Kansas. This is the earliest existing specimen from Kansas. However, they can also be found in desert grasslands, depending on their location. Arm Topographical Engineers Captain J. H. Simpson collected in 1858. Sighting of the Western Pigmy Rattlesnake usually occur far to the east of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. 110pp. However, just like other rattlesnakes here, they do enjoy basking in the sun from time to time! When encountered, Western Cottonmouths will go to great lengths to alert you to their presence in order to avoid having to bite. Mitchell, S. Weir. Measuring from 3 to 4 feet or more in length, the timber rattlesnake is the largest venomous snake in New York. Anonymous Kansas species in need of conservation (SINC). Riedle, J. Daren. However, some individuals reach lengths up to 60 or 70 in. Timber rattlesnakes are viviparous; they give birth to live young. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (66):9-16, Coleman, Keith. During the summer, gravid (pregnant) females seem to prefer open, rocky ledges where the temperatures are higher, while males and nongravid females tend to spend more time in cooler, denser woodland with a more closed forest canopy. Second edition. Some may even behave completely different from other rattlesnakes in Texas. Copperheads can also make their homes in piles of wood, brush, or large stones. During spring and fall, these snakes can occasionally be found at night crossing or basking on warm roads. Length: 35 45 in Adult females are typically two to three feet (60 - 90 cm) in length, but adult . Kansas. Timber Rattlesnake. The two subspecies are primarily differentiated by their coloration banding. Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kansas. An ecological survey of the Fort Leavenworth Military Reservation American Midland Naturalist 45(1):187-231. University of Kansas Publications Museum of Natural History Public Education Series(2):viii + 18. University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas. Most southern forms have a reddish-orange stripe that runs down the back. Their diet can also vary, though they mainly will just eat a variety of small mammals. Timber Rattlesnake Conservation Action Plan--Kansas. In Texas, these snakes are mainly only found in Central Texas and all of West Texas. Pisani, George R. and Henry S. Fitch. Southern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix) and Broad-banded Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix laticinctus). Next, all constricting clothing or jewelry in the area of the bite should be removed or loosened in case of swelling. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (104):6-17, Miller, Larry L. Many amphibian and reptile species identified during KHS 1996 fall field trip to Wabaunsee County. The young are born alive in early autumn, at which time newborns may appear in considerable numbers, searching for the prey they must find promptly in order to survive their impending hibernation. They also prey on small birds, frogs, and other small animals, including other snakes. Rattler Iola Register 9 September 2014(): Rohweder, Megan R. Kansas Wildlife Action Plan. Alan Tennant, This is to some degree offset by its relatively mild disposition and long brumation period. This is not always the case, however, and cottonmouths have been encountered in dry areas far from any standing body of water. The distribution of these rattlesnakes ranges into our western most counties and I have seen a few reports of encounters from southwest of Fort Worth . Transactions of the Academy of Science St. Louis 26():186-208. The bands of a Broad-banded Copperhead are more uniform in width around the entire circumference of the snake. 152pp. 103pp. These snakes prefer to live in rocky habitats and can often be found in man-made road cuts. Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Pratt. Thesis. This has given the Western Massasauga the nickname Buzztail, as a result! In the United States, they are mostly only found in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Nebraska Conservation Bulletin 24():1-146, Gloyd, Howard K. Some rattlesnake dens of South Dakota. The Timber rattlesnake, a large brown or tan rattler that stretches up to four and a half feet, can be found in wooded. "The timber rattlesnake has quite a large range in Texas and although it is threatened by habitat loss and persecution by people, those threats do not appear significant enough at this time. Every penny counts! You can Google pictures of bitten fingers and feetthey are not pretty. Learn how your comment data is processed. Forearm in length. Currylow and Rod N. Williams. United States Fish and Wildlife Service, . Timber rattlers are the second largest venomous snake in Texas and third largest in the United States. Western Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Not only do they educate the public of the various misconceptions about venomous snakes, but they also harmlessly extract venom from the snakes. During the mating season, males compete for females and perform a courtship "dance." We have two varieties of these snakes in the Dallas/Fort Worth areathe Southern Copperhead, and the very similar Broad-banded Copperhead. A. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (25):2-3, Wittenberg, Rodney D. A study of the Timber Rattlesnake (. Brown, William S. Biology, status, and management of the timber rattlesnake (, Collins, Joseph T. and Rundquist, Eric M. Results of the fifth Kansas herp count held during April-June 1993 . They are listed in order of what I consider the likelihood that they could be encountered in our part of Texasfrom most likely to least. 519pp. The northern blacktail (C. molossus molossus), the "green," "velvet-tail," or "dog-faced" rattler of the wooded canyons and mountains of West Texas, sometimes displays an olive cast but is more often brown or silvery gray. Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas. https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/rattlesnakes. Ode to an ophidion autumn. The Chicago Naturalist 9(4):87-97, Hall, Henry H. and Hobart M. Smith. 22pp. Riedle, J. Daren. Collinsorum 5(2-3):4-5, Stengle, Anne. . All photos used are royalty-free, and credits are included in the Alt tag of each image. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (3):15-16: 2003: Fitch, Henry S. and George R. Pisani. Timber rattlesnake ecology. Considerable geographic and ontogenetic variation occurs regarding the toxicity of the venom, which can be said for many rattlesnake species. Required fields are marked *. Their breeding season takes place from July to October and females reproduce every two to three years. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (8):20-21, Fitch, Henry S., George R. Pisani, Harry W. Greene, Alice F. Echelle, and Micael Zerwekh. A Field study of the Timber Rattlesnake in Leavenworth County, Kansas. Scientific Name: Sistrurus catenatus edwardsii https://www.tshaonline.org, https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/rattlesnakes. The best place to look for these species are in forested areas or near water bodies. Herpetology of Missouri. As an Amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Scientific Name: Crotalus molossus Banded Rock Rattlesnakes can be found throughout many states of Mexico. Timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) also known as Canebreak rattlesnake is a large, heavy-bodied snake averaging 4-1/2 feet. Caution is always advisable when in area reported to have cottonmouths. Thank you for the info. pp. D. Went to Kansas: Being a thrilling account of an ill-fated expedition to that fairy land, and its sad results; Together with a sketch of the life of the author, and how the world goes with her. Hall, E. Raymond. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, Massachusetts. These snakes are perhaps the least aggressive type of rattlesnake found on this list. Rundquist, Eric M. Results of the tenth annual KHS herp counts for 1998, held 1 April-31 May. Rohweder, Megan R. Spatial conservation prioritization of Kansas for terrestrial vertebrates. The Black-Tailed Rattlesnake can be found throughout much of the southwest of the United States, and into Mexico. In the United States, they can mainly be found throughout the Great Plains and much of the central U.S. These species are widely distributed, are comparatively large, and often exhibit an aggressive temperament. Gier, Herschel T. Vertebrates of the Flint Hills. Snakelets are born fully developed but will stay with their mother first 7-10 days of their life. Venomous: Yes. Range: The timber rattlesnake historically occurred in 31 states, but is now found in only 27 states. Conant, Roger and Joseph T. Collins. While these snakes can be found throughout the southwestern United States, the Mottled Rock Rattlesnake can specifically be found in rocky areas of West Texas. Our neighbor killed one last week. Kansas Biological Survey, Lawrence. It is active from April to October and prefers air temperatures of 80-90F. However each species of rattlesnakes may prefer a slightly different diet or habitat. 2003 Summary with plans for 2004 and beyond. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, Illinois. Photo by William Hoffman. Branson, Edwin B. Snakes of Kansas. Distribution of the Timber Rattlesnake (. Pages 83-97 in Herpetological communities: A symposium of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles and the Herpetologists League, August 1977. Timber Rattlesnakes are not the longest snake in the state, but they are, undoubtedly, the heaviest as large males are often more robust than a man's forearm. 3rd ed. Daniel, Richard E. and Brian S. Edmond. University of Kansas Museum of Natural History Public Education Series (8): Collins, Joseph T. New records of fishes, amphibians, and reptiles in Kansas for 1982 . The Timber Rattlesnakes preferred habitat is dense underbrush in bottomland forests, and it is said to avoid developed areas. Medium brown. Read on to learn about the Timber Rattlesnake.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'animals_net-medrectangle-4','ezslot_3',114,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-animals_net-medrectangle-4-0'); You can easily distinguish its species by the dark zig-zag shaped bands running across its body. Thanks for saying so, Sam! Habitat Management Guidelines for Amphibians and Reptiles of the Midwest. They steer clear of dense vegetation, as they like open-air only. L. Ingalls and Company, Watertown. For the most part, these snakes prefer dry areas and a moderate amount of vegetation. These snakes can also be found in other western states, though they do encompass a lot of Mexico. On this site we share what we know and learn about reptiles to help you give your reptile the love and care it deserves. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (112):11-18, Rundquist, Eric M. Kansas Herpetological Society herp counts: A 10 year summary and evaluation. Despite their size, cryptic patterns and coloration allow them . Tonight was the first time I went later on730 pm after the sun had set. The range of Crotalus horridus extends through much of the United States, including most of the states east of the Mississippi River. Survival of Timber Rattlesnakes (. Abert, James W. Notes of Lieutenant J. W. Abert. Your email address will not be published. Timber rattlesnakes are carnivores and their diet includes mainly small mammals. Timber rattlesnake ( Crotalus horridus) also known as Canebreak rattlesnake is a large, heavy-bodied snake averaging 4-1/2 feet. Annual home range size (ha) of adult timber rattlesnakes in eastern Texas. It can be quite alarming to discover a cottonmouth behaving this way, but it is a strictly defensive posture. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (38):2-4. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (68):5-6. Click here to learn more about copperheads snakes in Texas. 176pp. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (14):14-15, Taggart, Travis W. Results of the KHS 2005 fall field trip [to Crawford County]. A variety of different rattlesnakes can be found throughout many parts of Texas, in different types of habitats. Four venom patterns have been described for this species: Type A is largely neurotoxic, and is found in various parts of the southern range. in length (Oldfield and Moriarty 1994). Few people die from rattlesnake poisoning-less than 10 percent of even those heavily envenomated, mostly the very young or people in poor health. What could it be? Freeman, Craig C. A natural areas inventory of the Ft. Leavenworth Military Reservation, Leavenworth County, Kansas. Geographic distribution: Fitch, Henry S. and George R. Pisani. 239 pp. University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas. Published by the Texas State Historical Association. It is unevenly dispersed through East Texas. In fact, theyre thought to be the snake responsible for most snake bites in the United States! Fortunately the distribution of this snake is limited to the western two thirds of the snake. Before striking, Timber rattlesnakes often perform a good deal of preliminary rattling and feinting. When bites do happen they are seldom serious. Taggart, Travis W. KHS 2012 Spring Field Trip to Bourbon County State Lake. Humans have not domesticated these reptiles in any way. Collins, Joseph T. New records of amphibians and reptiles in Kansas for 1990. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (123):19. Heinrich, Mark L. Herpetofauna of the Konza Prairie Research Natural Area in the Flint Hills region of Kansas with respect to habitat selection. LOVE this post, Chris. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (83):7-13, Collins, Joseph T. Results of the fourth Kansas herp count held during April-May 1992. The primary functions of rattlesnake venom are to kill and predigest food animals, a process that starts with the metabolic dissolution of the victim's tissues well before the creature is swallowed. I discovered that my response to terror is to cry so that is what I did while I killed the snake with a shovel from as far away as possible. Publication of Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, Address not given. Collinsorum 2(3/4):3, Taggart, Travis W. KHS 2012 Fall Field Trip to Atchison County State Lake. Timber rattlesnakes may reach up to 5 feet in length . A degree of pain and swelling is an almost certain after a snakebite. Its alarming. University Press of Kansas, Lawrence, Lawrence. Keep reading to learn about the 9 most common rattlesnakes that are in Texas, and where you can find them! Found in the eastern third of the state in wooded areas in wet bottomlands. A recent near miss with a Western Cottonmouth set me to thinking about this subject. Some of the different ecosystems that they live in include forests, wetlands, swamps, mountainous regions, and more. National Snakebite Support Facebook Group, North Central Texas Wildlife Facebook Group. It is found near rock outcroppings, crevices and ledges in upland forests across most. The banded rock rattlesnake (C. l. klauberi), named for a noted authority on rattlesnakes, Lawrence M. Klauber, is a distinctly black-crossbanded subspecies found primarily in the two westernmost counties of Texas, but it has been reported in Val Verde County as well. Black chevrons run from the neck down the back with a light orange-brown vertebral stripe down the middle. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (115):42962, Puskar, Allan M. Captive breeding of the Timber Rattlesnake (, Fogell, Daniel D. Seasonal activity, habitat preferences, and natural history of the Timber Rattlesnake (, Fitch, Henry S. Population structure and biomass of some common snakes in central North America. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Taggart, Travis W. and Curtis J. Schmidt. Thesis. Linsdale, Jean M. Land Vertebrates of a Limited Area in Eastern Kansas. No, this snake does not make a good pet. We'll send you a couple of emails per month, filled with fascinating history facts that you can share with your friends. Delaware: 1 The timber rattlesnake is the only one in this state. Timber rattlesnake. Distribution maps of Oklahoma reptiles. Theyre also incredibly shy and nocturnal, secretive creatures. Range Extent. Longtime recapture of a Timber Rattlesnake (. The species has evolved dorsal coloring that substantially matches the prevailing hues of its background terrain-pinkish on the russet igneous boulders of the Davis Mountains, pale gray on the chalky limestone of the central Hill Country and southwestern deserts. The operative phrase to remember is, Red touch yellow, kill a fellow. Choate, Jerry R. Wildlife in the Wakarusa Watershed of Northeastern Kansas. They are particularly fond of rocky areas, and often hibernate in cracks or narrow caves. These snakes can especially be found in the Rio Grande Valley. Third Edition. Further notes on growth of juvenile Timber Rattlesnakes in Northeastern Kansas. 57pp. The results of a faunistic survey of reptiles and amphibians of Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Treatment is very expensive, recovery times cant be long, and there can be permanent damage to the affected area of the body. Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America. I have tried my best to gather accurate information for this article, but I have only limited expertise on the matter. The timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) is the most commonly encountered venomous snake in Pennsylvania. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (81):13-17, Joy, Jack. The reptiles of Cherokee County, Kansas. The distribution is spotty along the western and northern edges of the range. A re-evaluation of the subspecies of, Collins, Joseph T. Amphibians and Reptiles in Kansas University of Kansas Museum of Natural History Public Education Series (1):283 pp, Karns, Daryl, Ray E. Ashton, Jr., and Thomas Swearingen. The Mojave rattlesnake (C. scutulatus scutulatus), a predominantly Mexican viper, ranges northward into Texas primarily along the Rio Grande west of the Big Bend. Many unfortunate encounters with rattlesnakes occur around rural outbuildings where the snakes seek prey animals; other bites occur when rattlers sheltering beneath piles of unused lumber or, on the coastal islands, driftwood, are accidentally uncovered. canebrake rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake, velvet-tail rattlesnake Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Reptilia Order Squamata . They mainly only eat lizards and rodents that they find in their territory, as theyll never get too far from their rocky home! 294pp. This is the only rattlesnake species in most of the populous Northeastern United States and is second only to its relatives to the west, the Prairie rattlesnake, as the most northerly distributed venomous snake in North America. The snakes, of course, are not looking for trouble. The venom of a Texas Coral Snake is different than that of the pit vipers. Schmidt, Karl P. A Check List of North American Amphibians and Reptiles. If I wouldnt have seen them, I probably would have been bit. Delaware Venomous snakes in Delaware: Northern Copperhead Timber Rattlesnake View 32 more photos of Timber Rattlesnake. Besides its uniformly sooty tail (ahead of the rattle), the blacktail has a dark mask, and along the spine a wide, blackish-brown stripe encloses patches of pale scales. If you choose to join the National Snakebite Support group, please know that it is a very no-nonsense organization. In the southeast, its range runs to northern Florida. Appendix Number 6. Kansas Herpetological Society, Lawrence. Bulletin of the Chicago Herpetological Society 25(10):180. The truth about snakes. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Range maps show that it may be present in the eastern most counties of the DFW Metroplex. and weigh up to 9 lbs. Click here to read more about the Western Cottonmouth. 11pp. Adult males and non-gravid adult females prefer deciduous forests and woodland edges in an agricultural setting during the summer. The Timber Rattlesnake's preferred habitat is dense underbrush in bottomland forests, and it is said to avoid developed areas. Olson, Zachary H., Brian J. MacGowan, Matthew T. Hamilton, Andrea F.T. Mozley, Annie E. List of Kansas snakes in the museum of the Kansas State University. Let's slither into the subspecies statistics of these deadly Rattlesnake bites: Rattlesnake (no subspecies noted) - 53 fatal bites. Score G - 200,000-2,500,000 km squared (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles). The length of a snake's rattle is no indication of its age. There is a lot of sometimes conflicting information to be found on the internet. In my experience, these snakes will strike only when surprised, approached too closely, stepped on, handled, or otherwise actively provoked. It may range into our western most counties, but I have never heard of a sighting that occurred within the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Across their range, this species lives in a variety of different habitats. In Texas, rattlesnakes have 268,596.5 square miles, 3 different climate zones, and many different ecosystems to live in. Before striking, they often perform a good deal of preliminary rattling and feinting. This is because these snakes are supremely confident in their camouflage, and rightfully sothese snakes can virtually disappear into the landscape. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0; additional terms may apply. Most rattlesnakes all have many things in common such as the infamous rattles and their venom. Although these snakes account for very few bites each year, their venom is very potent. Annual Report of the United States National Museum 1893(2):337-487. These rattlesnakes mainly prefer living in rocky or bushy habitats, though they can also be found in deserts, grasslands, and forests at high altitudes. Canebrake rattlesnake, Banded rattlesnake. Fitch, Henry S. Reptiles and amphibians of the Kansas ecological reserves. Now What?! Venomous: Yes. Timber Rattlesnakes were bountied in Vermont until 1971, and designated endangered in 1987. . It is not clear how debilitating these effects can be in the short term or how they might be exacerbated by physical exertion, such as hiking out of the backwoods in order to seek out treatment. pp. Kansas Wildlife and Parks 53(4):39. Collinsorum 2(3/4):7, Wittenberg, Rod D. and Steven J. Beaupre. With the exception of the Texas Coral Snake all of these snakes share very similar venom. Documenting the Diversity of Dallas/Fort Worth Urban Wildlife Since 2005. Privately printed, . University of Kansas Museum of Natural History Miscellaneous Publication (52):1-247, Pisani, George R., Joseph T. Collins, and Stephen R. Edwards. Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America. Published: Aug. 3, 2021 at 1:31 PM PDT. Chapter 15. Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America. Glad to do it! When prey is plentiful, rattlesnakes feed heavily and build up fat reserves that both support them through months of cold weather and enable the females to forego hunting during the latter stages of pregnancy. Copperheads are very common throughout their range and they frequent habitats where people are likely to encounter them. The poisonous snakes of North America. 86pp. University of Kansas Science Bulletin 37():1195-1443, Prophet, Carl W. An outline for conservation teaching in Kansas. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Boston. Taggart, Travis W. Distribution and status of Kansas herpetofauna in need of information. Five species of chigger mite were recovered from amphibians. Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Pratt. Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge, Smithsonian Institution, Washinton, D. C.. 145pp. Simon, Martin P. and Joseph H. Dorlac. 131pp. Your email address will not be published. Both of these snakes have similar behaviors and can be found in similar habitats. Their scales are brown colored, and the bands are dark black. These rattlesnakes tend to prefer living in habitats located in rugged terrains. Timber rattlesnake research has been limited to the efforts of only a few biologists over the past few decades. Collins, Joseph T. Amphibians and Reptiles in Kansas. When alarmed or threatened these snakes will hiss loudly and open their mouths to reveal the starkly white namesake interior as a warning. The Timber Rattlesnake in northeastern Kansas. Some inject a larger quantity of venom. The Desert Massasauga can be found throughout different southwest states of the U.S., though in Texas its mainly only found in West Texas. Texas has some ten rattlesnake species and subspecies, more than any other state except Arizona. Length: 23 27 in They gravitate to places where their camouflage is most effective, such as areas with abundant leaf litter and detritus. A few C. atrox close to 7 feet long, not counting the rattle, have come from the area of Starr County in the Rio Grande valley; despite constant reports to the contrary it is unlikely that any is larger. Under state endangered species laws, it is illegal to harm, harass, or collect the timber rattlesnake. 62pp. Pages 386-414 in Notes of a Military Reconnaissance from Fort Leavenworth, in Missouri to San Diego, in California including Parts of Arkansas, Del Norte and Gila Rivers Wendell and Benthuysen, Printers, Senate Executive Document 41, 30th Congress First Session, Washington, D. C. pp. It is very common across all its range, and shows no specific habitat preference. Timber rattlesnakes are also known as banded rattlesnakes. Length: < 32 in Be alert for the warning hisses, rattles, and other signs that indicate a snake feels threatened. Amphibians, Reptiles, and Turtles of Kansas Eagle Mountain Publishing., Provo, Utah. Always double check the ground before reaching down to pick something up. Potentially, the Timber rattlesnake is one of North America's most dangerous snakes, due to its long fangs, impressive size, and high venom yield. Length: 39 54 in Timber Rattlesnake - 16. If you are an expert on venomous snakes then I would be very glad to get your thoughts and corrections. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hartford, Kansas. Good information on the topic of first aid for snakebites can be difficult to find. I decided now might be a good time for a refresher course on venomous snakes in the DFW Metroplex, and what to do if bitten. Preferring a habitat of native grassland and open prairie, the Western Massasauga is best adapted to the middle third of the state. It was in a fenced area with my chickens, that I love, almost as much as my kids (jk). Fortunately, on large animals and people the damage is usually localized. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Kansas Wildlife and Parks Magazine July/August():18-21. While these snakes rattle their tails just like all other rattlesnakes do, their rattle is oddly high pitched. The Mojave Rattlesnake is only found in parts of Texas, mainly only in the extreme west. Copeia 1927(164):75-81, Taylor, Edward H. A revised checklist of the snakes of Kansas. Manage Settings Animals.NET aim to promote interest in nature and animals among children, as well as raise their awareness in conservation and environmental protection.