Herpetarium
The herpetarium building houses reptiles, amphibians, and opossums. It also features a spacious classroom as well as a facility for food preparation for the various animal habitats in the park. Amphibians are also represented, with a unique display in which visitors look for salamanders in appropriate habitats. The southern Appalachian region is a salamander hotspot: nowhere else in the world are there so many different species.
The Herpetarium is open on weekends from 1 PM - 5 PM and daily during mid-summer.
Reptiles
Reptiles have been around for millions of years, and during the age of dinosaurs they ruled the earth. 6,500 species still exist; 58 species live in Tennessee. Reptiles have a backbone, are covered by scaly skin which keeps their bodies from dehydrating, and most lay eggs in order to reproduce. Some reptiles dig holes to lay eggs in, others make a nest in soft soil, leaves, or rotting vegetation. Mothers leave the nest once the eggs are laid. Baby reptiles called hatchlings must be able to care for themselves after hatching from the egg. These animals are ectotherms or cold-blooded; body temperature is regulated by sitting in the sun to get warm and finding shade to cool off. Cold weather causes them to move slowly and eat less. East TN reptiles enter a state of hibernation in order to survive the winter. The largest living reptile is the saltwater crocodile which weighs 2,200 pounds. The smallest reptile is a dwarf gecko which is ¾ of an inch long.
The focal point of this facility is the "snake wall," pictured above, featuring eight species of native snakes in natural habitats. In addition, there are informative displays on snakes, including a "much-larger-than-life" rattlesnake.
Amphibians
Amphibians include frogs, toads, salamanders, and newts. Amphibians lead double lives. Young amphibians hatch from eggs laid in water, breathe with gills, and have no legs. They metamorphose, growing legs and developing lungs as they age. Due to a slow metabolic rate, their bodies do not produce heat; therefore they are cold blooded and must use the environment to regulate their body temperature. Most amphibians have a smooth skin which secretes protective slime to help keep them moist. The skin secretions of many frogs and toads are bitter tasting and quite poisonous to humans and mammals. Many frogs live for nearly 10 years. Some toads have lived for over 50 years. The largest amphibian is the Chinese Giant Salamander which weighs 25 lbs.
Opossums
America’s only marsupial; opossums are related to the Kangaroo, and Koala Bear. Each of these animals has a special pouch where young are protected while they feed and grow. Opossum pups are the size of a honey bee when they are born. Babies stay in the mother’s pouch for 3 months, after which juveniles emerge from the pouch, climb to the mothers back and ride safely to and fro. Since opossums do not hibernate, frostbite regularly nips off their ear and tail tips on cold winter nights. They have 52 teeth which is more than any other North American animal. When attacked opossums defend themselves by playing dead. This is an involuntary comatose state in which they may stay for up to four hours. Due to predation by foxes, coyotes, and owls, few opossums survive to become adults and those that do usually live only one or two years. Opossums look for moles, shrews, dead animals, mushrooms, snakes, snails, worms, and fruits to eat.