The Nature Center Welcomes Two NEW Ambassadors!

Thanks to a partnership with fellow ANCA member Glen Helen Raptor Center, both ambassador raptors (below)—who are unable to be released into the wild—now have homes at Rowe Woods where they will help us educate our guests on the importance of these vital species.

Earlier this year, our facilities team along with a group of dedicated volunteers built a raptor mew (a structure in which raptors are housed) behind Rowe Visitor Center. Members of our staff also trained with the Glen Helen team to learn how to properly care for the raptors.

Unicorn is a male gray morph eastern screech owl (Megascops asio) born in 2021. He enjoys afternoon naps, eating 2-3 mice a day, and soaking in some morning sunshine.

Zihna is a male red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) born in 2012. He loves food and is currently training with Nature Center handlers.

Bert (lower left) and Ernie (top right) are both male eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina). Bert was born in 2010 and Ernie was born 2012.

Bert can typically be seen attempting to climb the walls of his enclosure or quietly observing his surroundings. Ernie often pushes around his toy duck or is observed thinking about going in his rock pit but rarely ever does.

‍

Crush is a female red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) born in 2000. She enjoys belly flops, swimming loudly, warming up under her lamp, and mealtime.

‍

Peppermint is a male amelanistic corn snake (Pantherophis guttatus) born in 2004. He enjoys being held, napping, and making a grand appearance once a year.

‍

Rattison is a male gray ratsnake (Patherophis spiloides) born in 2011. His favorite activities include playing peekaboo from under his rock, climbing up the cage wall and, most of all, mealtime.

‍

Levi is a male snow corn snake (Pantherophis guttatus), born in 2010 and enjoys climbing, napping, and occasionally escaping from his cage.

‍

Native fish can be difficult to observe in the riffles and pools of the pristine streams at Rowe Woods. These fish quickly dart and hide in the flowing water, eating insects and other small invertebrates. The males exhibit beautiful coloration, especially in the spring during breeding season.

The fish found in Rowe Visitor Center are rainbow darter (Etheostoma caeruleum), fantail darter (Etheostoma flabellare), and southern redbelly dace (Chrosomus erythrogaster), which are also in our streams and are indicator species, telling us the water is clean.

‍