AMERICAN BLACK BEAR (Ursus americanus)
Native to North America, this is one of the smallest and most widely-distributed bears in the world. They have incredible eyesight and hearing, and are very strong swimmers. They are adept at climbing trees, which they do for food, or to evade predators.
Our two American black bears are Dakota (left) and Nitis (right), two brothers generously donated by the Washington State University Black Bear facility. They are only a few months old now, but are adventurous, curious, and love playing with each other.
Native to North America, this is one of the smallest and most widely-distributed bears in the world. They have incredible eyesight and hearing, and are very strong swimmers. They are adept at climbing trees, which they do for food, or to evade predators.
Our two American black bears are Dakota (left) and Nitis (right), two brothers generously donated by the Washington State University Black Bear facility. They are only a few months old now, but are adventurous, curious, and love playing with each other.
BALD EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
The national bird of the United States of America, the bald eagle is truly a sight to behold. It has a wingspan of seven feet, and it weighs about eight pounds. They build nests in areas with little human activity, and to compensate for their immense size, the nests can be up to ten feet wide. These eagles can fly up to 43 miles per hour, and like to eat fish and small rodents.
Our resident bald eagle is Liberty. He was rescued near Poulsbo, Washington, after he was hit by a car as a juvenile. The impact gravely injured his left wing, preventing him from flying. He has been with us for some time, and though he will never recover fully, he enjoys his time here with us. He is eager to learn new things, and loves looking down on us from high places.
The national bird of the United States of America, the bald eagle is truly a sight to behold. It has a wingspan of seven feet, and it weighs about eight pounds. They build nests in areas with little human activity, and to compensate for their immense size, the nests can be up to ten feet wide. These eagles can fly up to 43 miles per hour, and like to eat fish and small rodents.
Our resident bald eagle is Liberty. He was rescued near Poulsbo, Washington, after he was hit by a car as a juvenile. The impact gravely injured his left wing, preventing him from flying. He has been with us for some time, and though he will never recover fully, he enjoys his time here with us. He is eager to learn new things, and loves looking down on us from high places.
COMMON GARTER SNAKE (Thamnophis sirtalis)
Like all snakes, garter snakes are carnivores. They typically eat anything that they can catch, including slugs, leeches, lizards, frogs, fish, and rodents. They can communicate using pheromones, spreading a scent that they can detect with their flicking tongues. This allows them to find each other for mating purposes. They were long thought to be non-venomous, but a recent finding has shown that they do produce a slight neurotoxin upon biting, which is not nearly dangerous enough to harm any human.
Our garter snake is Lucifer. He came to us from the National Zoo in Washington, DC. He lieks to burrow beneath the leaves inside his exhibit, and will usually hide when a keeper reaches inside his exhibit for maintenance. He is easily startled, so we have installed a second layer of glass to make his exhibit quieter.
Like all snakes, garter snakes are carnivores. They typically eat anything that they can catch, including slugs, leeches, lizards, frogs, fish, and rodents. They can communicate using pheromones, spreading a scent that they can detect with their flicking tongues. This allows them to find each other for mating purposes. They were long thought to be non-venomous, but a recent finding has shown that they do produce a slight neurotoxin upon biting, which is not nearly dangerous enough to harm any human.
Our garter snake is Lucifer. He came to us from the National Zoo in Washington, DC. He lieks to burrow beneath the leaves inside his exhibit, and will usually hide when a keeper reaches inside his exhibit for maintenance. He is easily startled, so we have installed a second layer of glass to make his exhibit quieter.
RED-EARED SLIDER TURTLE (Trachemys scripta elegans)
The red-eared slider is an invasive species of turtle originating from the Southern United States, but it has become a serious problem in ecosystems where it has been introduced. They are almost entirely aquatic, but because they are cold-blooded, they will leave the water every so often to sun them selves and regulate their temperatures.
Bo (left), Shelley (center), and Michelle (right) are all females from the Cincinnati Zoo. They are active when together, but they will occasionally have disagreements. Shelley seems to be the dominant individual in the bale, commonly eating first and nipping the others when they step out of line.
The red-eared slider is an invasive species of turtle originating from the Southern United States, but it has become a serious problem in ecosystems where it has been introduced. They are almost entirely aquatic, but because they are cold-blooded, they will leave the water every so often to sun them selves and regulate their temperatures.
Bo (left), Shelley (center), and Michelle (right) are all females from the Cincinnati Zoo. They are active when together, but they will occasionally have disagreements. Shelley seems to be the dominant individual in the bale, commonly eating first and nipping the others when they step out of line.
GREAT GRAY OWL (Strix nebulosa)
The great gray owl is found all across the Northern hemisphere, across Europe, North America, and northern Asia. Instead of building nests, this large owl actually finds abandoned nests from other birds, or creates its home in tree cavities or even trees with broken tops. The shape of its face channels sound to its asymmetrical ears, so it has excellent hearing that it uses to find prey.
Horton, our great gray owl, came to us from the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, Washington. He is shy, but is very cooperative with staff. He is an excellent flyer...when he wants to be!
The great gray owl is found all across the Northern hemisphere, across Europe, North America, and northern Asia. Instead of building nests, this large owl actually finds abandoned nests from other birds, or creates its home in tree cavities or even trees with broken tops. The shape of its face channels sound to its asymmetrical ears, so it has excellent hearing that it uses to find prey.
Horton, our great gray owl, came to us from the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, Washington. He is shy, but is very cooperative with staff. He is an excellent flyer...when he wants to be!
SNOWY OWL (Bubo scandiacus)
Snowy owls are found in northern Eurasia and North America. They nest in areas with good visibility, such as on top of mounds or boulders, but not in trees like other bird species. They prey primarily on lemmings and occasional waterfowl, but will not pass up an opportunity to eat carrion.
Our snowy owl is Hedwig. She came to us from the Alaska Zoo in Anchorage, Alaska. She is curious, attentive, and loves to hone her hunting skills. Her favorite foods include mice and rats.
Snowy owls are found in northern Eurasia and North America. They nest in areas with good visibility, such as on top of mounds or boulders, but not in trees like other bird species. They prey primarily on lemmings and occasional waterfowl, but will not pass up an opportunity to eat carrion.
Our snowy owl is Hedwig. She came to us from the Alaska Zoo in Anchorage, Alaska. She is curious, attentive, and loves to hone her hunting skills. Her favorite foods include mice and rats.
COUGAR (Puma concolor)At the heart of Cougar Mountain lives the cougar. These predators are at the top of their food chain, and are ambush predators, like other big cats. They silently stalk their prey before pouncing at the opportune moment to take it down. It will occasionally compete with other predators in its ecosystem for food, such as wolves and bears.
Koko came to us from the Chicago Zoo, and is very active. She can often be seen playing with the multiple toys she has in her exhibit, or going for a swim on a hot day. She is cooperative with staff, but likes to keep her distance, watching them from afar.
Koko came to us from the Chicago Zoo, and is very active. She can often be seen playing with the multiple toys she has in her exhibit, or going for a swim on a hot day. She is cooperative with staff, but likes to keep her distance, watching them from afar.