Austin Nature and Science Center Austin Nature & Science Center - News

nczoofan

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Austin Nature & Science Center is a city-owned nature center in Austin, Texas home to a small collection of native-wildlife. It covers 80 acres in Austin's flagship park, most of which is covered by native hiking trails. Admission is free to the center, which is geared-towards children with frequent educational programming.

The wildlife are held in four different areas. The first is the entrance building. This building only has two animal exhibits. In this building is also an exhibit gallery and a nature trade-counter.
  • European Honeybee
  • Madagascar Hissing Cockroach

The next exhibit is known as the "wildlife exhibits." It is an oval row of exhibits for the centers larger species of animals. Here one can see:
  • Bobcat
  • North American Porcupine
  • Mallard, Domestic Pigeon
  • Harris' Hawk
  • Red-Tailed Hawk
  • Raven
The majority of species are held in the Small Wonders building. This building houses smaller species all found within 100 miles of the center. This space was recently renovated and therefore several displays are still empty, including a new fish-tank.
  • Rough Green Snake
  • Ornate Box Turtle
  • Texas Brown Tarantula
  • American Alligator (juveniles)
  • Southern Painted Turtle, Ouachita Map Turtle
  • Eastern Tiger Salamander
  • Gulf Coast Toad
  • Western Hog-Nosed Snake

The last is Birds of Prey. This section is located within a forested area and houses a variety of non-releasable bird species, within small aviaries.
  • Great Horned Owl
  • Barn Owl
  • Barred Owl
  • Black Vulture
  • Turkey Vulture
  • Greater Roadrunner
  • Red-tailed Hawk
  • Ornate Box Turtle, Three-Toed Box Turtle
  • Swainson's Hawk
 
On November 19th, 2024, the center announced they acquired a (1.0) domestic rabbit (breed not specified) named Dusty which is an ambassador animal.

Austin Nature & Science Center

On January 30th, 2024, the center announced they repaved the trails in and around the center (not the preserve trails) to make the facility more ADA-friendly.

Austin Nature & Science Center

On December 3rd, the center announced they acquired an alligator lizard (species not specified) named Randall in December 2023 which is now on display in the Small Wonders building.

Austin Nature & Science Center
 
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