On Thursday, the amphitheater at Lake Vesuvius was filled with snakes, but no one seemed to mind.

Saturday, April 28, 2001

On Thursday, the amphitheater at Lake Vesuvius was filled with snakes, but no one seemed to mind.

About 30 people filled the amphitheater to listen – and watch – Larry Cartmill, a Huntington, W.Va., herpetologist, talk about snakes. To make his presentation carry a little more weight, Cartmill brought along some of his slithering friends.

Audience members received a general introduction to the biology of snakes at the show. The program is designed as a "getting to know you" program to familiarize everyday people with snakes. Cartmill discussed the anatomy, behavior, habitats and preferences of various species of snakes.

The program was a part of a series of events Cartmill will be presenting at the lake in cooperation with the Ohio University Southern Campus Nature Center.

Throughout the year, Cartmill will bring a number of reptile-related topics to the center.

Plans are in the works to do more specific programs on turtles, amphibians and other specific areas of herpetology.