Quiet Neighbors - Grey Rat Snakes

“If you don’t bother them, they won’t bother you.” That’s great advice and a truism for almost all wildlife, something even a four-year-old can recognize. It’s especially true for Ohio’s longest reptile, the Grey Ratsnake (Pantherophis obsoletus), previously called the Black Ratsnake. Recent advancements in genetic research have led to a deeper understanding of snake evolution and the differences between the 10 recognized species in North America, and a subsequent name change.

The young are light gray with a series of dark brown or black markings on their back. As they mature, they turn to solid black or dark gray with a lighter or yellowish belly. They are commonly found between 42 and 72 inches long, but can reach 8 feet. That will get anyone’s attention.

Read the complete column here: Average Guys Outdoors: Why Ohio’s Grey Ratsnakes are good neighbors

Side note: getting bit by any wildlife will stick in a 4-year-old or even younger child's mind for a long time. Just so you know. 

Resources

If you’ve never seen one and want to, local nature centers are a great place to guarantee a sighting. The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery has one, CJ, that celebrated its 15th birthday last July.

Ohio Department of Natural Resources - https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/animals/reptiles-amphibians/gray-ratsnake 

Boonshoft Museum - https://boonshoft.org/ 

Ohio Department of Natural Resources - Reptile Field Guide  - https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/safety-conservation/about-odnr/wildlife/documents-publications/backyard-wildlife-documents 

https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/ohiodnr.gov/documents/wildlife/backyard-wildlife/Pub%205354_Reptiles%20of%20Ohio%20Field%20Guide.pdf 

Miles for May

 It’s been technically “spring” for weeks now, but we’re just now passing into the frost free zone in Southwest Ohio. The morning chill is less biting and the afternoon highs haven’t pick up the humidity to come later. Tucked beneath a canopy of trees or out an in an open meadow you, you’ll find relatively pleasant temperatures. You can also find the nations largest paved trail network - more than 350 miles across the Miami Valley - as well as hundreds of miles unpaved routes through a variety of local, county, and state parks. 

The Miamivalleytrails.org website detailing connections and the miles and miles of trails, many of which were part of the rails to trails program. Those routes follow former railroad tracks now turned into paths for public use. With relatively minimal grade, they make for easy walking or peddaling while connecting local communities throughout the area. From short walking jaunts downtown to extended cross-county cycling journies, they offer low resistance, self-propelled travel options, and show the areas dedication to the outdoors.

Read the complete column here: 

https://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/average-guy-outdoors-miami-valley-touts-350-miles-of-trails/article_2bfec1a1-b732-5e1f-846b-3d069b8587f5.html

SW Ohio Trail Events

If you like your events more social, or sociable, and with rewards, you’re in luck. There are a variety of options, much more than I can list here. Check local websites for details, but here are a couple that standout. 

America Hikes 250

To celebrate the countries 250th birthday, the Ohio Department of offers the America Hikes 250 Challenges. It has two go-at-your-own-pace options of completing 25 or 250 total miles before Dec. 31, 2016. Participation is through the outerspatial app and you choose the routes and dates. https://ohiodnr.gov 

Five Rivers Metro Park - 2026 Trail Challenge

Throughout Montgomery County, Five Rivers offers 28 new trails to explore an win prizes at your own pace. Tail length varies from 0.5 to 5.5 miles, and must be completed before Oct. 31, 2026. https://www.metroparks.org/trailschallenge

Twin Valley Trail Challenge

Looking for bigger challenge? Go long with the Twin Valley Trail challenge, on Saturday, June 6th, hiking anywhere from 1 to 28.7 miles. Preregestration required. 

https://www.metroparks.org/twin-valley-trail-challenge/

Fishing Update - What they’re hitting

Matching river conditions now is key. Shaun Gardner used a slow approach with jigs, tubes and ned rigs to land 81.25 inches of fish, winning round 2 of 2nd NAPRA Elite Stage 2 event held on Greenville Creek on Sunday, May 3.