Our Discovery Center houses minor exhibits and displays.
The southern flying squirrel is a small, nocturnal tree dwelling rodent found throughout the eastern portion of the United States. Their body and tail is flattened and they have a furred membrane (patagium) that connects the front feet to the back feet, which they use as a sail to glide from one tree to another…hence the name “flying” squirrel. Their eyes are very large to help them see in the dark. They are dependent upon intact deciduous forests that include nut-bearing trees. They are solitary during the summer, except for when the female is raising her young, but they will collect into groups of up to 24 in the winter. Like all tree squirrels, they do not hibernate in the winter so they must store food for the winter months. In Montana we have the northern flying squirrel; it is dependent upon intact pine forests for survival.
The antics of the American Mink can be very entertaining (if you can catch her in action). Found throughout North America, this semi aquatic member of the weasel family is never far from water.
Continue on to the Gardens!
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