The Museum introduced live animals into its collection over 11 years ago. We are now home to 6 ambassador animals including raptors, snakes, and a frog. These critters came with a cost, including the necessary facilities, staff time required for care, and ongoing financial costs to provide what they need. There is also the ethical question of keeping wild animals in captivity. Why did the Museum take on the burden? Live animals seemed a perfect fit to fulfil our mission of " connecting people to Northwoods nature through educational experiences that inspire wonder, discovery, and responsibility ." Programs with these animals seem to do just that. During raptor programs or snake feedings, I have seen the wonder on audience members' faces, fielded fascinating questions from people wanting to discover more, and taught how we can help these animals in the wild. While my observations are useful to justify the live collections at the Museum, a study published recently looked at...
I stepped into the Curiosity Center to check on the herps. Digger the hognose snake basked under her heat lamp. Emory the rat snake lay coiled under her rock hide. The tree frog was next on my list and I checked his favorite spots. Was he on the upper backdrop ledge? Nope. In the back corner? Empty. On the branch hiding under leaves? Not there. Where could he be? Can you spot the tree frog? My nose came close to the glass as I searched the rest of the habitat from every angle. On the back wall? Behind a different group of leaves? Under the moss? Nothing. At this point I was getting worried. Where else could he possibly be? Did he escape? I stepped back to mist the habitat with my spray bottle and I jumped with a gasp. The tree frog was sitting on the branch right in front of me, front and center. Was he there the whole time? He had quite the "hiding" spot!
I had a bit of a scare recently when my pet rabbit, Wally, stopped eating his hay. It was a sign that something was wrong. And it could cause even more problems because hay is vitally important for maintaining their delicate digestive system. As part of his exam, his veterinarian took a blood sample. The clinic called the next day to say that his blood chemistry all looked normal except for elevated glucose levels. They were not concerned because rabbits who are stressed (after a long car ride and veterinary exam, for example) often have high glucose. That is a normal stress response that is adaptive for survival. Stress serves to prepare animals (including humans) for "fight or flight" in response to a threat. Heart rate, respiration, and blood sugars are increased to provide the body extra fuel for running from or tussling with a predator (1). Since Wally didn't know that Dr. Mary was, in fact, trying to help him, his body was prepared to handle what he perceived to be ...
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