Program Animals

In the Learning Center, we have our Wildlife Room which houses a wide variety of reptiles and amphibians. Stop by and see our bearded dragon, snakes, turtles, and more.

These fascinating animals are used in many of our programs and birthday parties. Please contact a member of our staff to arrange a memorable program.

Eastern Box Turtle

This species of tortoise is native to the Eastern United States ranging from southern Maine to Florida along the East Coast, and west to Michigan, Illinois, eastern Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas and can live to be over 100 years old.
Eastern Painted Turtle

These beautiful turtles are Connecticut's most numerous turtle species and can also be found from coast to coast through the northern United States and southern Canada, south to the Gulf of Mexico from Louisiana to southwestern Alabama.
Russian Tortoise

A small tortoise species, with a size range of 13–25 cm (5–10 in). Females grow slightly larger (15–25 cm [6–10 in]) to accommodate more eggs. Males average 13–20 cm (5–8 in). They can live more than 40 years, if they are raised on a lean, high-fiber diet, captive-raised animals in low-stress environments they can have a higher life expectancy.
Three-Toed Box turtle

This North American tortoise is native to the Mississippi River Valley from northern Missouri southward across southeastern Kansas and eastern Oklahoma into south-central Texas, and southeastward across western Tennessee and Georgia to the coastal lowlands.
Bearded Dragon

One of our favorite animal residents is Callie.

These friendly lizards are native to the subtropical woodlands, scrublands, savannas, shore areas, and into the great interior deserts of Australia.
Plated Lizard

This lizard is native to the rocky desert of Sudan. They have been known to reach 45–70 cm (16 to 28 inches) in length, where the tail is less than half the length and can live up to 10 years in captivity. These omnivores (eat both meat and vegetation) are active during the day and eat […]
Leopard Gecko

These small nocturnal lizards, adult females are typically 7 to 8 inches and males are 8 to 10 inches, are native to the rocky deserts and scrubby areas of South-central Asia. They have been known to live 15-20 years in captivity Their natural diet includes: insects such as crickets, mealworms, and locusts – Here we […]
Pueblan Milksnake

These beautiful Non-poisonous snakes are often mistaken for the poisonous Coral Snake. Their patterning is reversed, just remember "Red touches yellow, kill a fellow, red touches black. okay Jack" to tell the difference.
Hognosed Snake

In May 2013, Amélie joined our menagerie. She is now living in the Wildlife Room, on your next visit, stop in and say “HI”- you might need to look closely, she blends in with the bedding. To read more about Amélie, please click here.
Whites Tree Frog

Found in Northern and Eastern Australia, New Guinea, and New Zealand. Can reach 3 to 4.5 inches, females are slightly bigger than the males, and can live to 16 years of age, but one reached 21 years in captivity.