Snowshoe Hare Creature Feature

CMNH Wildlife Specialist Traci Lambert teaches about Lucky and Ned the Snowshoe Hares.

Reptiles in Winter

So...it is getting close to that time of year again...winter. Humans can bundle up or stay indoors when it gets blustery but what about our native wildlife? Most of us know that mammals grow thicker coats and a larger layer of fat to keep themselves warm in the winter. Most birds insulate themselves by puffing out layers of feathers to trap air near their skin or huddle in groups with family members to stay toasty.

What about some of Ohio's reptiles? Ohio's snakes and turtles have no way of adapting their bodies to the cold temperatures they will face in the winter. Many reptiles seek shelter in holes or burrows of other animals and spend the winter dormant or inactive. Large numbers of snakes (even of different species) will share the same burrow. A reptile's system slows down during the winter months and as its metabolism decreases, its heart rate drops and it needs very little oxygen. Reptiles need very little food and water, if any, during this time.

Bodies of water are an ideal spot for many reptiles during winter. They can hide underneath rocks and logs, and even bury themselves in mud to keep warm. Painted turtles can dig up to 18 inches below a pond's bottom. They can get the oxygen they need from the water right through their skin. Terrestrial turtles, such as box turtles, dig holes in the earth to crawl into as the temperature starts to cool. They can also alter their blood composition during the winter months to keep from freezing.

To hear more about reptiles and other native Ohio wildlife and meet some in person, visit the museum for our live animal programs at 1pm and 3pm every Saturday and Sunday!


Melissa Terwilliger, CMNH Wildlife Specialist

Bald Eagle Creature Feature

Director of Wildlife Resources Harvey Webster discusses Bald Eagles, including Venus and Orion, the two on exhibit in the Perkins Wildlife Center:

Enrichment Cages!

The animals that are used for classes and programs are kept in cages in the indoor portion of the wildlife center, located in one of the museum's lower levels. These areas are not as roomy as the exhibits outside in the Perkins Wildlife Center and Woods Garden.

The wildlife staff must therefore work hard to give all of the animals housed indoors a chance to stretch their legs by allowing them access to one of the large "enrichment cages." The wildlife specialists custom design the spaces for each individual species. For example, an enrichment cage (e-cage for short) for a groundhog may have numerous tubs of mulch and dirt in which to dig and tunnels made out of PVC pipes. An e-cage for a turtle might have water tubs, rocks, branches and other greenery, and interesting scents.

The above video shows Willow and Lilac, the baby skunks, enjoying the extra space of a toy-filled e-cage by running and playing. The video below showcases an e-cage set up for Dora the opossum, complete with plenty of high branches to climb and a rope-and-log swing!





There is also an outdoor e-cage for the animals to get sunlight and fresh air. The snakes and turtles particularly enjoy basking in the sunshine on warm days. Eddie the groundhog is pictured below having a ball in the outdoor enrichment cage.

Michelle Leighty
Perkins Wildlife Center Co-Manager