Our bugs are super cool. They're tiny titans with fascinating roles in ecosystems. For example, our Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches and Giant African Millipedes are "detritivores" – nature's very own cleanup crew, munching on decaying matter to keep things tidy. We even feed them organic fruits and veggies! You might also spot dazzling diving beetles with their "scuba tanks" or witness the bizarre territorial dances of the hissing cockroaches.
Critter Cove
Reptiles, Mammals, Sea Creatures, Bugs, & More!
Step into Critter Cove, where the wonders of today connect to the creatures of the past! Come face-to-face with incredible critters, from hands-on sea stars to a powerful monitor lizard. This isn’t just an exhibit, it’s a time-traveling adventure through evolution! Discover living descendants of ocean-dwelling invertebrates, dinosaur-age reptiles, and hardy mammal ancestors that defied extinction. Packed with excitement and discovery, Critter Cove is an unforgettable thrill for explorers of all ages!
MEET SOME CRITTERS!
Sideneck Turtle
Calvin is excited to meet you! Calvin is a modern-day sideneck turtle who closely resembles the fossils of prehistoric marine sideneck turtles you can see in our Monstrous Seas gallery. She’s a lot smaller than the prehistoric turtles, but she’s bright and energetic in Critter Cove!
Tiny Tales & Witty Wiggles: Meet Our Rats!
Our six clever Norway rats have moved into their new “Rat Hotel,” packed with toys, tunnels, and fun! Come watch them play, learn about their ancient roots, and help us name them in our Rat Naming Contest!
Meet the Mysterious Monitor Lizard!
Get ready to meet our new resident! We're thrilled to introduce our newest "dragon" - a stunning monitor lizard who's currently settling into his incredible new home. He's exploring his space and getting more comfortable every day, and we can't wait for you to catch a glimpse of his curious antics!
Come say hello to our emperor scorpion!
One of the largest scorpion species in the world, don’t let her large claws and tail stinger scare you. She’s actually a bit shy, but will venture out of her cave to greet you with a wave of her claws.
Beetles, Millipedes, Arachnids & More!
Discover just how long insects have roamed the Earth for and learn about the importance of these animals in their ecosystems. Look closely and you might see a tiger beetle darting about or a hissing cockroach defending its territory. Prepare to be fascinated by the incredible insect world!
MEET SOME CRITTERS!
Discover Hands-On Adventure with our Saltwater Touch Tank
Dive in! Explore our touch tank and get hands-on with amazing coastal critters like colorful sea stars and slow-moving whelks in this interactive marine experience.
Get up & close with live animals
Every animal in Critter Cove is here for a reason. Each species helps tell the bigger story of life on Earth, from modern animals that share ancient ancestors with dinosaurs to tiny creatures that keep ecosystems in balance. Together, they demonstrate how everything is interconnected, how evolution has shaped the world we live in, and why every living thing, no matter how small or misunderstood, plays a crucial role in the web of life.
Critter Cove Questions (and Our Wild Answers!)
🪲 What makes your bugs so special?
Our bugs are super cool. They're tiny titans with fascinating roles in ecosystems. For example, our Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches and Giant African Millipedes are "detritivores" – nature's very own cleanup crew, munching on decaying matter to keep things tidy. We even feed them organic fruits and veggies! You might also spot dazzling diving beetles with their "scuba tanks" or witness the bizarre territorial dances of the hissing cockroaches.
🦎 Is that a real-life dragon I see (or hear!) in there?
You're not wrong! We're thrilled to introduce our magnificent new monitor lizard - Mo! He's currently settling into his swanky new space and getting more comfortable every day.
You're not wrong! We're thrilled to introduce our magnificent new monitor lizard - Mo! He's currently settling into his swanky new space and getting more comfortable every day.
🌿 What exactly is Critter Cove all about?
Critter Cove is where the ancient past meets the amazing present! See the modern-day animals that share common ancestors with prehistoric creatures of the Cretaceous. It's all about how everything on Earth is connected – from the tiniest bug to us!
Critter Cove is where the ancient past meets the amazing present! See the modern-day animals that share common ancestors with prehistoric creatures of the Cretaceous. It's all about how everything on Earth is connected – from the tiniest bug to us!
🧬 Are there any secret connections between all the animals in Critter Cove?
Absolutely! That's the whole point! When you walk in, you'll see our "How Are We All Connected?" sign and a phylogenetic tree. It shows that every living thing on Earth, including us, shares a common ancestor. You'll see how our monitor lizard connects to the prehistoric mosasaur, our sideneck turtle to ancient species, and even how rats are our surprisingly close cousins! It's all about the amazing story of evolution!
Absolutely! That's the whole point! When you walk in, you'll see our "How Are We All Connected?" sign and a phylogenetic tree. It shows that every living thing on Earth, including us, shares a common ancestor. You'll see how our monitor lizard connects to the prehistoric mosasaur, our sideneck turtle to ancient species, and even how rats are our surprisingly close cousins! It's all about the amazing story of evolution!
🐀 Why do we have rats at Critter Cove?
Our rats are here for a fascinating reason — they’re not just smart, curious, and social, but they’re also a living link to our own evolutionary story. Humans and rats share a common ancestor: a small, resilient mammal that lived during the time of the dinosaurs. That tiny creature survived the asteroid impact and eventually gave rise to the wide variety of mammals we see today, including us!
Our rats help us teach about animal intelligence, behavior, and the vital role every species plays in the web of life. We know some people feel unsure around rats, but these little guys are surprisingly clean, love to groom themselves and each other, and are full of personality. We hope their playful antics will help change how you see them!
Our rats are here for a fascinating reason — they’re not just smart, curious, and social, but they’re also a living link to our own evolutionary story. Humans and rats share a common ancestor: a small, resilient mammal that lived during the time of the dinosaurs. That tiny creature survived the asteroid impact and eventually gave rise to the wide variety of mammals we see today, including us!
Our rats help us teach about animal intelligence, behavior, and the vital role every species plays in the web of life. We know some people feel unsure around rats, but these little guys are surprisingly clean, love to groom themselves and each other, and are full of personality. We hope their playful antics will help change how you see them!
✌️ Can we really touch the animals in the Touch Tank?
The answer is yes! You can touch the creatures, but with an important rule: the two-finger touch! This gentle method protects our creatures like sea stars and whelks. Sometimes, we'll temporarily close the Touch Tank for hands-on interaction. This happens when we're introducing new animals or ensuring our residents are extra comfortable. It's all about keeping our underwater friends happy and healthy, and it's a great lesson in how delicate these ecosystems are! Even when you can't touch, you'll still get to witness fascinating behaviors like sea stars eating by turning their stomachs inside out!
The answer is yes! You can touch the creatures, but with an important rule: the two-finger touch! This gentle method protects our creatures like sea stars and whelks. Sometimes, we'll temporarily close the Touch Tank for hands-on interaction. This happens when we're introducing new animals or ensuring our residents are extra comfortable. It's all about keeping our underwater friends happy and healthy, and it's a great lesson in how delicate these ecosystems are! Even when you can't touch, you'll still get to witness fascinating behaviors like sea stars eating by turning their stomachs inside out!
⭐ Wait - sea stars really eat by turning their stomachs inside out?!
YES! It sounds wild, but it's true! Sea stars’ mouths are on the underside of their bodies. When they want to eat a clam, they push their stomach out, slurp up the good stuff, and then pull it back in. It's truly one of nature's most bizarre (and fascinating) eating habits!
YES! It sounds wild, but it's true! Sea stars’ mouths are on the underside of their bodies. When they want to eat a clam, they push their stomach out, slurp up the good stuff, and then pull it back in. It's truly one of nature's most bizarre (and fascinating) eating habits!
🐢 What's the story with the sideneck turtle?
Our amazing sideneck turtle is a unique individual, taking a little extra time to get her habitat just right. She's a semi-aquatic species, meaning she needs both water and land areas, and she's getting a custom home. The cool thing about her is how she tucks her head into her shell – she turns it to the side, unlike most turtles that pull it straight back! She'll be ready to meet you very soon!
Our amazing sideneck turtle is a unique individual, taking a little extra time to get her habitat just right. She's a semi-aquatic species, meaning she needs both water and land areas, and she's getting a custom home. The cool thing about her is how she tucks her head into her shell – she turns it to the side, unlike most turtles that pull it straight back! She'll be ready to meet you very soon!