Eastern Screech Owl

“Peanut”

Peanut’s age is unknown.  He is a rehabilitation bird from Auburn University’s Southeastern Raptor Facility.  It is thought he was shot with a BB gun leading to the loss of one eye.  Peanut is very much a wild bird, but has made excellent strides toward being content in captivity.  He is non-releasable because of his injury.

Great Horned Owl

“Sunny”

Sunny’s age is also unknown as she was an injured wild bird several years ago brought to Oak Mountain Wildlife Center for treatment.  She has wing injuries and cannot fly, making her non-releasable.  It is thought she either had a collision with a car or became entangled in a barbed wire fence, leading to her injuries.

River Cooter and Pond Sliders (2)

These aquatic turtles are common to the southeast and the area in and around Lay Lake.  They are primarily herbivorous, preferring fruits and veggies to meat. 

Box Turtles (male and female)

Box turtles are land turtles.  They have a domed carapace (upper shell) which helps makes it hard for predators to fit them in their mouths.  They also have a hinged plastron (lower shell) which allows for them to close up completely in their shells.  Males have a brighter body color and red eyes thought to help attract mates.  Females are more dull in color thought to help them camouflage when put in the vulnerable position of laying eggs.

Snapping Turtle

Snapping turtles have extremely powerful mouths and can move, or “snap”, at lightning speed to catch prey.  Their diet consists of a mix of greens and meat and they’re most commonly found along river banks in murky, muddy waters.  Snapping turtles have a reduced plastron (lower shell) to allow more free movement of their long necks to catch prey.

Gray Rat Snake

These non-venomous snakes can reach 6-8 feet in length and often keep their juvenile pattern through adulthood.  They are agile climbers and are excellent controllers of rodent populations in and around barns and warehouses.  They are extremely beneficial for humans and when left undisturbed will remain out of sight.

Corn Snake

Also non-venomous, the corn snake gets its name from its frequent presence in and around corn silos and barns.  They are attracted to rodents that feed on the corn and can typically eat 3-4 times as many mice as a

barn cat in any year. 

Eastern Hognose Snake

Hognose snakes are considered non-venomous, but it should be noted that they actually do have mild venom rated “2” on a scale of 1-50 in strength.  They are rear-fanged and feed almost exclusively on toads.  When captured, a toad will fill with air so that it appears larger.  A hognose snake can use a “tooth” in the back of its mouth to pop the toad

and fit it in its mouth!

Black King Snake

King snakes are extremely beneficial creatures to humans.  They are immune to the venom of most snakes and will readily feed on them.  They are one of the few natural predators of Copperheads and Rattlesnakes and

provide a great service to us by controlling

populations of venomous snakes!

American Alligator

Our alligator is on loan from Gatorland in Orlando, FL.  In October of 2008 we will be returning her to Gatorland and acquiring two new young (grunts) for use in education programs.  Alligators were brought to the brink of extinction largely because of habitat loss and the popularity of products made from their hides.  Federal protection and huge efforts made by state agencies have brought these animals back and their populations are once again thriving in FL and extreme Southern portions of AL, GA, MS, LA, and SC.

Fowler’s Toads

These common toads have the largest range of any toad in North America.  Toads are generally a more land dwelling animal when compared to frogs and have a more leathery skin to allow for water retention. 

Green Tree Frog

Tree frogs are typically found in wooded areas near ponds, lakes and rivers.  They frequently climb into porch lights to seek out insects after dark.  They are avid eaters of crickets and a variety of worms.  Though often thought of as a good household pet it should be noted that handling an amphibian can lead to illness and death for the animal.  They absorb oxygen through their skin and will therefore absorb toxins on human hands if they are handled

Eastern Tiger Salamander

This species of salamander can reach 10 or more inches in length!  Adult salamanders generally live in moist areas on land, returning to the water only to breed.  Their numbers have declined drastically in recent years due to the drying up and alteration of their wetland habitats.  Exotic fish introduced into ponds and deforestation can also cause problems for salamanders.