(Why You Should) Learn About Reptiles At MCLS

Humans don’t have quite the close relationship with reptiles that we do with dogs and cats (with a few exceptions). We don’t hear as much about conservation of reptiles as we do about the bumbling giant panda or the clever orangutan. I’m even willing to bet that the average person doesn’t think about lizards on a daily basis. But humans are connected to nature in ways we don’t often expect, in ways that we might not ever realize.

Over the years, reptiles have inspired a number of scientific advancements. You may have seen Ozempic and Wegovy in the news; originally used to treat diabetes, the semaglutide series of drugs are now making record profits as a weight-loss implement. What you may not have known is that the active compound in these drugs was originally discovered in the venom of Gila monsters and then synthesized after decades of research. Studying the mechanics of reptile scales has led to breakthroughs in adhesive and gripping technology, as well as an ultra-slippery steel. A snake’s heat vision has inspired new imaging technology, and a skink’s ability to swim through sand is helping NASA navigate Mars. Biotechnology has taken many directives from reptiles; the animals have left massive footprints on the world around us, even the ones that don’t have any feet.

The natural fear of reptiles turned into awe for many ancient peoples—hundreds of these cultures had gods celebrating snakes, lizards, and crocodilians. Many Indigenous American tribes (including the Lenape people who lived in what is now New Jersey) have a creation story of a great turtle who had mud placed upon his back, which became the world; many Indigenous activists refer to North America as Turtle Island. The reptiles didn’t even need to be alive to inspire; some researchers believe that the ubiquity of dragon myths in a vast array of cultures probably had to do with the discovery of dinosaur fossils. Ancient people used reptiles as materials, too—mostly as clothing and ceremonial religious pieces, but occasionally even as armor, repurposing the fearsome reptilian aura for their own warfare.

Thankfully, we no longer have to fend for ourselves in the wilderness—aside from the portion of the population that enjoys camping—thus, we have comparatively much less to fear from most reptiles. While you should always be cautious with any wildlife you encounter, New Jersey only has two species of venomous snake, and not a single death has ever been recorded due to a venomous snakebite in this state. The snake you’re most likely to see is the garter snake, and if you’re a gardener, that’s good news; they’re completely harmless to humans, and they eat the things that like to eat your plants. You may be surprised to find out that New Jersey has a few native lizards—even I was surprised! If you see a lizard here in Mercer County, it’s most likely to be a five-lined skink, so keep an eye out for that distinctive blue tail the next time you’re hiking.

Our most common reptiles in New Jersey are definitely the humble and bashful turtle. Just outside the Hightstown Library is Peddie Lake, where I’ve seen plenty of painted turtles basking on sunny days, and I have been lucky enough to see a common snapper poking its dinosaur-like head out of the water. Our state reptile is the endangered bog turtle, which received the honor on account of an advocacy campaign run by Princeton elementary school students to raise awareness for its conservation.

Reptiles make good neighbors. They’re vital to our ecosystem, and spotting one honestly just brightens your whole day. (No? Is that just a me thing?) Globally, 21% of reptile species are at risk of extinction. We owe it to the ecosystem to be better neighbors to our local reptiles—and benefit other species while we’re at it. The most important steps you can take to help protect our cold-blooded friends are to engage in practices that are generally great for the environment. Leaf litter is vital for reptiles, native pollinators, and all sorts of other creatures to hide and reproduce, so avoid the temptation to remove leaves from grassy areas. Pesticides are harmful to all types of wildlife, but especially reptiles and amphibians as their skin is particularly vulnerable to chemicals. If you’re a gardener, learn about environmentally friendly native gardening practices and support New Jersey’s beautiful biodiversity. Reptiles are threatened by habitat loss and low water quality, so local development such as warehouses and data centers always carry the risk of decreasing their populations.

Learning about reptiles is the gift that keeps on giving, so I’ll leave off with a small sampling of my favorite fun facts to spark some of the love I have for reptiles in you.

• You may have heard time and time again that the green anaconda is the largest snake in the world. In reality, those measurements have been found to be exaggerated. The largest snake ever verifiably measured was a reticulated python that was 10 meters long, or just under 33 feet.

• Marine iguanas have evolved to drink seawater and sneeze out the salt. Charles Darwin described them as “hideous-looking creatures” and called them “imps of darkness.”

• Tuataras are the only reptiles in their family; they may look like lizards, but they are as distantly related to lizards as they are to snakes. They share a parietal eye with many species of lizard, which is an organ on the top of the head that can sense light.

• Most species of crocodilians have strong maternal instincts and take care of their babies for at least a few months after hatching. Indian gharials even have paternal instincts; exceptionally rare in the animal world.

• Some turtles can breathe through their butts.

Book Suggestion Call Numbers:

597.9 HOW 2015
591.7 NAT 2014
597.96 HAL 2025
333.95 DEA 2022
597.92 LOV 2021
597.95 OSH 2021 

-Cheyenne, Hightstown