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Critter Capers

Educational and fun animal programs offered by Cayuga Nature Center


Cayuga Nature Center is home to many unique critters who are loved and cared for by our trained staff. From tarantulas to hawks, snakes to hedgehogs, CNC has them all.

Where do our animals come from? Some of our critters have fascinating stories of how they were heroically saved and raised by humans, others were badly injured and could no longer live in the wild, still others come to us as former pets who are no longer welcome in their home.

Regardless of where our critters come from, they are given the proper attention, nutrition, housing, and care that each individual deserves to be happy and healthy.

CNC critters are not trained to perform, they will not do tricks, we do not teach them to ask for rewards. Our animal shows will illustrate the amazing abilities these critters are naturally born with; the skills they would use to survive in the wild.

Critter Caper Programs have been used for Birthday Parties, Scout Badges, Store Promotions, Fairs, Festivals, Nursing Home Visits, Classroom Visits, and much more!


Critter Caper Program Topics


Animal Encounters
Recommended for businesses or fairs with large crowds of various ages
Hands-on, up close and personal introduction to our various animals. Includes at least 4 animals of your choosing.
What Makes Them Different?
Recommended for ages 10 and younger
Introduction to critters of different species. Children will learn about the features and adaptations of vertebrates and non-vertebrates, cold and warm-blooded animals, feathers and scales. Includes one tarantula, turtle, snake, bird and mammal.
Animal Jeopardy
Recommended for ages 10 and older
Presents the same information as the above program, but for older children in an interactive and challenging form of Jeopardy.
Pet Care
Recommended for ages 5 and older
This program covers the CNC critters that are former pets and shares their intimate stories. Proper care of exotic pets will be discussed.
Slithering Snakes
Recommended for all ages
Have you ever wanted to learn all about our slithering friends? Meet 5 of our 11 snakes and learn all about these unique reptiles. Stick your hand in a box of snake sheds, and find out the real reason they stick out their tongues!
Turtle
Recommended for all ages
Meet our five turtles and learn that they're not really turtles at all. What are they? You'll just have to wait and see! Learn all the mysterious and little known facts about these common critters.
Beautiful Butterflies Only available on-site during the months of June, July, and August

Explore our Seasonal Butterfly House, catch some wild butterflies and learn how to identify them. Explore our butterfly hatchery and take a guided tour of the wild flower fields.
Design Your Own!
Do you have an idea of your own? We can accommodate most requests, so give us a call!

On-site Programs:


Programs on-site at CNC are offered in two categories:

  1. As a one hour program
    price: $60
    max. # of people: 25
  2. As a two hour rental with a one hour program
    price: $125
    number of people:up to about 25
    ideal for birthday parties includes space to set up food and have group led activities

Off-site Programs:


Critter Capers can travel to you!
price: $100 per hour within 30 miles of CNC additional fees for travel if further away
number of people: unlimited
inside or outside, group leader must verify that live animals are permitted on the premises and make arrangements for proper set-up in coordination with the CNC animal staff prior to the event

To schedule or discuss a Critter Caper, contact the Animal Curator

* Beautiful Butterflies is not available off-site

* Scheduling is done on a first-come, first-served basis.

* Programs with rentals will require coordination with our Rental Manager.

*** Programs may last less than an hour depending on the attention span of the audience!


Last Updated: Sunday, May 11, 2003 1:54:45 AM Posted: 5/11/03 1:01 AM Expire: never
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