This article was written by Jen Fuller, Kroening Nature Center, North Mississippi Regional Park
In honor of Halloween, this article explores myths and truths about animals and a tall tale of a Minnesotan cryptid, a creature that is claimed to exist but never proven to exist. After learning about these myths and legends, come to Kroening Nature Center for our Animal Masquerade Party on October 30 and make a cryptid mask of your own!
True or False: Touching a toad will give you warts. False! Human warts are caused by the human papillomavirus. The virus is passed from person to person like any other infection, and usually enters the skin though small scrapes and cuts. Toads do not carry the virus, so touching them cannot give you warts. Toads are amphibians, closely related to frogs, but unlike most frogs, adult toads spend most of their time away from the water. The “warts” on their skin are just bumps that secrete bad-tasting compounds, which make a nasty tasting toad for any predator trying to eat it. Toads, like all amphibians, reptiles and birds, can carry salmonella (bacteria that cause food poisoning), so always wash your hands after touching these animals.
True or False: Most snakes are poisonous. False. This statement is false in two different ways. Some snakes are venomous, not poisonous. The quick way to remember the difference is: If you bite an animal and you get sick, it is poisonous. If an animal bites (or stings) you and you get sick, it is venomous. Most snakes are non-venomous. In Minnesota, we only have one species of venomous snake, the timber rattlesnake, which is quite rare. In fact, over the past 60 years they have only been found in the three southeastern-most counties in the state. They are shy and unaggressive, and usually strike only if provoked—they would rather slide away from humans if given the chance. In other parts of the world venomous snakes are more common, but only about 15 percent of snake species worldwide are considered dangerous to humans.
Legend of the Mississippi River: Lake Pepin, the largest lake on the Mississippi River, is located between Wisconsin and Minnesota. Legend has it that a serpentine creature lurks in the deep waters of the glacial lake, which formed at the end of the last ice age. “Reports of Pepie stretch back to when the Dakota Indians…decided to trade in their birchbark canoes for thicker dugout canoes when traveling Lake Pepin in order to protect themselves from the creatures living in the lake that punctured their thinner birch canoes” (Carey, 2021). Some believe Pepie (perhaps a cousin of the Loch Ness Monster) might be a Lake Sturgeon. These prehistoric fish can weigh up to 200 pounds and live to be over 100 years old! Given that Lake Sturgeon have recorded lengths as long as 8 ft, it’s no wonder that people may mistake this massive fish for a lake monster. If you want to go Pepie hunting, a local is offering $50,000 for solid proof they exist!
Stop by the Nature Center anytime to meet a toad or snake up close. Celebrate Halloween as a family at our free Animal Masquerade Party on October 30 from 1-3 p.m. Come dressed as an animal (if you like) and enjoy games, dancing and fun.
Draw a picture of Pepie, or another mythical creature of your own design. Then bring it into the front desk of the Nature Center to receive a prize! Any images people would like to share will be displayed at the nature Center in October. Like us on Facebook to stay in the loop about what is happening at your park! northmississippi@minneapolisparks.org.
October Public Programs
Bird Watching: Beginner Basics · Saturday, October 8, 9-10:30 a.m. Free. Ages 6+. Activity #129397. Curious about birding, but not sure how to start? Learn how to use binoculars and strategies for distinguishing characteristics of bird types as we hike the park.
Beneficial Bats · Sunday, October 9, 2-4 p.m. $35 per person. Ages 13+. Activity #129395
Build a bat house to take home while exploring the ecology of Minnesota’s bat species. All materials and tools provided by Elpis Enterprises.
Homeschool Day: Soil Significance · Thursday, October 13 | 1-3 p.m. $5 per person. Ages 5-14. Activity #129429. Soils are an intricate and involved part of this world. Learn different soil types and characteristics through hands-on investigations.
Nature Art: Gourd Time · Saturday, October 15, 11-noon. $3 per person. All ages. Activity #129458. Discover the world of gourd-geous gourds! Explore their unusual shapes, colors and textures while creating art projects to take home for autumn decorations.
Outdoors: Fall Tree Identification · Saturday, October 22, 2-3:30 p.m. Free. Ages 8+. Activity #129503. Is a single leaf enough to identify a tree? Walk the park with a naturalist to observe and learn about impressive color changes while taking a closer look at tree identification.
Wild Nature Challenge · Thursday, October 27, 5-7 p.m. Free. Ages 6+. Activity #129514.Build forts, maneuver through obstacles, and build a campfire with the essentials. It’s like an escape room in nature – fun for all ages and abilities!
Bird Watching: Feathered Fridays · Friday, October 28, 9-10:30 a.m. $2 per person. Ages 18+. Activity #129401. Learn about distinguishing characteristics of bird types while strolling through the park with a naturalist. All experience levels welcome.
Family Funday: Animal Masquerade Party · Sunday, October 30, 1-3 p.m. Free. All ages. Activity # 129417. Come dressed as your favorite animal to enjoy an afternoon of nature games and fun! Visit animals, explore outside, and try the adventure course! You can disguise your identity in natural style by making a nature mask to complete your costume and bring home.
Find registration for these programs and more at minneapolisparks.org, or call 612-370-4844 for details.