Despite her name, Snappy the Corn Snake was anything but snappy — she was a calm, gentle, and an endlessly friendly soul who quietly slithered her way into the hearts of tens of thousands of children, staff, volunteers, and visitors at the High Park Nature Centre. Her presence was soothing, her spirit joyful, and her impact immeasurable.
Snapdragon, or “Snappy” for short, passed away peacefully in her terrarium on August 15, 2025, at the remarkable age of approximately 30 years. She was a cherished member of the Nature Centre family for more than 25 years, where she served as a beloved Animal Ambassador helping generations of nature lovers learn to appreciate and care for the wildlife around them.
A Lifelong Educator
Snappy’s journey as a teacher began long before she arrived at the Nature Centre. She was originally part of the classroom of one of the co-founders of the organization. When the Nature Centre found its home at the Cottage, Snappy and her fellow critters spent their summer school breaks there, before eventually settling in as permanent residents.
Over the years, Snappy shared her home with a delightful cast of companions, including Diablo the Bearded Dragon, Snake the Checkered Garter Snake, Bob the White’s Tree Frog, Blue the Hermit Crab, and of course, her longtime friend Houdini the Red-eared Slider.
Snappy’s quiet charm and curious nature helped kids learn to love and care for wildlife, showing everyone that snakes too can be sweet, fascinating and full of personality. Whether she was curling up in her cozy habitat, exploring a new enrichment addition, or calmly captivating the mind of a wide-eyed child, Snappy inspired a sense of joy and wonder among all our nature program participants. She helped generations of young nature lovers grow kinder to and more curious about the natural world.
Snappy’s Legacy
Select drawings made by kids during High Park Nature Centre programs featuring Snappy and her best friend Houdini.
Snappy wasn’t just a visitor’s favourite, she also formed a lifelong bond with all participants. Many children who met her during Nature Centre programs returned years later as adults, still filled with the same childlike wonder, just to say hello and reminisce about their years at the Nature Centre.
Snappy reminded us that every creature — no matter how small or slithery — has a role to play in nature. Her legacy lives on in the stories shared, the lessons learned, and the thousands of smiles she inspired.
Thank you, Snappy, for being our scaly superstar. You will always be loved, remembered, and celebrated. Rest in peace, sweet Snappy. You’ll always be part of our Nature Centre family.
How You Can Honour Snappy's Legacy
To celebrate Snappy’s life and legacy, we invite you to make a donation to our Critter Care Fund. This fund helps support her best friend, Houdini the Red-eared Slider, especially as we prepare to move back to the Cottage this fall. Your support will ensure Houdini continues to live a fulfilling and enriching life, helping kids and adults learn about and care for wildlife — just like Snappy did.
