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Turkey
In Uncategorized | No commentThe wild turkey (Meleagris gallapavo) is a large ground-feeding bird that is related to chickens, quail and pheasants. Turkeys prefer to live in open forests, the edges of forests or wooded swamps. They feed on seeds, grains, acorns and other nuts, berries and insects. Turkeys…
Vulture
In Uncategorized | No commentThere are two species of vultures found in Virginia: the turkey vulture and the black vulture. Vultures (some call them buzzards) are scavenging birds that feed on the remains of dead animals. The vulture has been perceived as a loathsome creature because of its disgusting…
Snow fun
In Critter Corner, Uncategorized | No commentWorking as an animal keeper on a snowy day has its own unique challenges and rewards. The animals still have to be taken care of even in bad weather, so animal keepers have to come in and take care of the animals when everything else…
You otter love some snow!
In Critter Corner, Uncategorized | No commentLast month, the animals at the VLM got to experience a snow day play day. Many of the animals found the snow quite entertaining, but others were not overtly happy to see the cold white stuff. Here’s a video of our otter enjoying some snow…
What will the woodchuck whisper? Winter or Spring?
In Critter Corner, Uncategorized | No commentWhat will the Groundhog say? Will there be 6 more weeks of winter? Or is spring just around the corner? During the first part of February, there is a custom that the groundhog, or woodchuck, will come out of his den to predict what weather…
Fox
In Uncategorized | No commentWe have all heard the expression “sly as a fox,” “fox in the hen house” and “crazy like a fox.” These phrases apply to a handsome member of the dog family that is found throughout Virginia. In fact there are two members of this canine…
Bobcat
In Uncategorized | No commentOne of the more secretive and fascinating mammals found in Virginia is the bobcat (Lynx rufus). Bobcats are adaptable, predatory members of the North American cat family. The only wild feline still found in the state, they are common in the Dismal Swamp and the…
Gone, but not forgotten…..always in our hearts
In Critter Corner, Uncategorized | 1 CommentAnd so begins a year of new beginnings. I’m sad to report that in December, our animal care staff lost one of our animal friends. The female otter, affectionately known as Sweet Pea to the keepers, had been on display for many years. “Sweet Pea”…
Wood Ducks!
In Critter Corner, Uncategorized | No commentAround the middle of July, the coastal plains aviary became home to 2 families of wood ducks. The ducks came to us from a breeding facility down near the North Carolina border. Both families are doing quite well. In both batches of wood ducks, there…