Rachel Diersen, director of education, and Steve Ricker, director of conservation and wildlife management, spoke with students about how a number of animals adapt to life during the winter, from hibernation to finding food, shelter and water. “A lot of insects hibernate,” Ricker said. “Some even hibernate in our homes and garages.” Students had the opportunity to touch a Madagascar hissing cockroach as they learned about the differences between cold-blooded and warm-blooded animals. “Some cold-blooded animals hibernate both in water and then on land,” Diersen said, as she introduced Teddy the toad. Other guests included Buddy, the box turtle, Snappy, the snapping turtle, a king snake, doves and ferrets. First-grader Patrick said he enjoyed learning about the ferrets most. “It was nice because they were furry,” he said. Nicoletta, a student, thought the dove and ferrets were equally interesting, and she wasn’t at all squeamish about touching anything.
“I really like animals,” she said.
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