Reptile, amphibian walk Friday at Kasota Prairie - Mankato Free Press

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KASOTA — The hunt will be on Friday morning for snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs, toads, salamanders, or maybe a northern prairie skink.

The Department of Natural Resources Scientific Natural Areas staff will take people on a two-hour hike through the Kasota Prairie on a reptile and amphibian walk.

It is the first walk of its kind at Kasota Prairie.

Kasota Prairie SNA is home to small areas of wetland, rock outcrop and woodland in addition to its namesake prairie.

“Kasota Prairie has more to offer than wildflowers,” said DNR SNA specialist Brad Bolduan. “Its surface bedrock also contributes to a diverse population of reptiles there.”

He said the western part of the prairie is more prone to produce sightings. "There's more exposed rocks with crevices there that reptiles like."

To up their odds of sightings, they put down pieces of plywood in different areas, which reptiles and amphibians like to take cover under.

Bolduan said he's seen fox snakes, garter snakes and brown snakes on the prairie. He said other rare critters have been recorded at Kasota Prairie, but that he hasn't found them. That's why he's bringing in Jeff LeClere, an amphibians and reptiles expert, to help lead the walk.

The DNR zoologist has spent years conducting surveys of all amphibian and reptile species statewide.

“This is a good opportunity for people to learn about the wildlife in the area,” Bolduan said. 

There are several threatened or "of special concern" reptiles and amphibians in Minnesota including timber rattlesnakes, Blanding's turtle, spotted salamander, plains hog-nosed snake and common five-lined skink.

Funding for the event comes from the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.

 



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