Shells & Scales: Meet our Ambassador Animals

Thursday, May 7, 2026 6 PM to 7 PM - Fort Yargo State Park - Winder, GA - The Interpretive Center is open for a rare opportunity to meet our ambassador animals! We'll also share our collection of local taxidermy, bones, furs & pelts from around the state. Meet our Naturalists & discuss park history, ecology & conservation. This program is fully accessible & appropriate for all ages. Pre-register at Visitor Center by 5pm.

Brazel: Red-Eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) Brazel is a classic aquatic adventurer. Named for the distinct red stripes behind his eyes, he represents one of the most recognizable turtle species in the world. As a "slider," he is built for a life split between the water and the sun, with a streamlined, olive-green carapace (top shell) and webbed feet designed for a quick getaway into the lake. Knots: Eastern Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula) Knots is the sleek, powerful "king" of the Georgia forest floor. With her striking black scales and chain-like white or yellow bands, she is a master of camouflage and constriction. Kingsnakes earn their royal title because they are immune to the venom of copperheads and rattlesnakes—meaning they actually hunt other snakes!