Traditionally, many residents have killed venomous snakes on sight, not realizing their value. The aquarium hopes the expanded exhibit will help clarify the role native snakes – even venomous ones – play in regulating the environment.

“These animals are an important part of the ecosystem and are critical for predator control,” said Peggy Sloan, education curator. “We want to make it easier for people to respect and preserve them.”

Along with threats from anxious residents, development and other environmental pressures have reduced the state’s venomous snake population. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission lists the Eastern diamondback as an endangered species and the timber rattlesnake as a species of special concern.

“People might not be able to see them without visiting an exhibit like this,” said aquarist Dave LaPlante, whose duties include caring for the snakes.

The new displays are replacing an exhibit that focused on differences between venomous and nonvenomous aquatic snakes – comparing the venomous cottonmouth, for example, with the often-misidentified brown water snake.

Now, visitors will see a completely redesigned, expanded space housing diamondback rattlesnakes, timber rattlesnakes, and various nonvenomous species that might share the same natural habitat – a yellow rat snake, for example, and a Northern pine snake. A cottonmouth dwells in another enclosure right next door. Copperheads will continue to share a pine savannah habitat with nonvenomous corn snakes in yet another Conservatory exhibit, now two years old.