Podcast: The Case of the Slithering Milk Thief and Science with Cabbage

Psst.. Earth Rangers… today’s creature-feature is pretty slithery. Feeling a bit nervous? Nah! There’s no reason to be scared of snakes, even the dangerous ones are more likely to be more afraid than you, so if you keep your distance, they will not bother you. And the eastern milksnake is non-venomous and very cute.

Click the play button on the player below to listen to today’s episode!


This is the marvelous eastern milksnake. It can look a bit like the venomous Massasauga rattlesnake, but there are a few important differences. Interested in learning more? Check out this quiz.


Today Emma talks to Tyson Reid from Toronto and Region Conservation Authority about the Meadoway project. An initiative that helps protect many species that live in the Greater Toronto Area, including ospreys, the red foxes, and eastern milksnakse. Tyson told us all about his adventures as a wildlife technician and what he thinks about snakes.


Meet Animal Ambassadors Floyd the ball python and Fantom the black pine snake! Aren’t they adorable?


Today on Emma’s Chemistry Corner – Emma will help you become environmental scientists, using red cabbage! Why red cabbage? It has a special molecule called anthocyanin that changes its colour according to how acidic something is.

To follow along with our colour changing experiment, follow the instructions below.

What you’ll need is:

  • one red cabbage
  • big pot or bowl that can contain boiling water
  • liquid or water-soluble materials you’d like to examine (we recommend: lemon juice, vinegar, salt, egg white, liquid soap and laundry detergent)
  • One glass half-filled with cold water and one spoon for each of the materials
  • A ladle
  • help from a parent

How did your experiment turn out? We’d love to see your results. If you want to share, ask your parents to follow Earth Rangers on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and tag your photo as #EmmasChemistry

Stay tuned for next episode when Emma talks with a real environmental scientist!


Last chance to share your animal encounter stories! Send us your animal encounter stories before December 15th to get entered for a chance to win an Earth Rangers prize pack – containing a water bottle, a surprise plushie and a limited edition button set.


Do you think snakes are scary? Did this episode change your mind about snakes? Do you want to become an environmental scientist?

Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss an episode! Don’t forget to send your own animal story to enter our brand new contest!!

19 COMMENTS

  1. I have a huge fear of snakes. I am having someone write this. They are writing the reptile name without telling me. They usually help me type out what I want to say. Emma’s chemistry corner is awesome too!!