Albino Alligator "Pearl" visits Honey Horn

Pearl, the albino alligator from Gatorland in Orlando, Florida visited the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn last week. In an effort to educate visitors about the American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) Kenny Danberry from Gatorland visits the Coastal Discovery Museum every Thursday through August 13th sharing information about the biology and behavior of alligators, their threats to survival, alligator safety tips, and ways we can help protect this species. Getting to Know a Gator programs take place at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Horn Thursdays at 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 2:0o p.m.

Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos)

While walking the property at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn last week, our Manager of Natural History, Carlos Chacon, came upon an Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos) as it traveled through open areas on the property. Eastern Hognose Snakes occur throughout the southeast feeding primarily on toads. Natural predators of the Eastern Hognose Snake include other snakes, birds of prey, and carnivorous mammals. With numerous predators, the Eastern Hognose Snake has adapted unique responses to ward off potential threats. One of the most notable behaviors is 'playing dead' where the snake will roll over on its back pretending to be dead (seen in the picture below). Eastern Hognose Snakes will not intentionally bite people, however it is important to practice snake safety. Please be sure to keep a safe distance from snakes and please do not pursue or try to capture any snake.

Individuals can help protect snakes by being mindful of human impacts affecting their survival. Such impacts include habitat destruction, road mortality, and intentional killing of snakes. It is important to protect all snakes living in the southeast as they are vital components of the environment as both predators and prey. Snakes also serve as good indicators of the health of an ecosystem.

Karen Wertheimer Butterfly Enclosure

The Karen Wertheimer Butterfly Enclosure is now open at the Coastal Discovery Museum! Featuring native butterfly species, this 1,200 square foot outdoor enclosure contains both host and nectar plants to support butterflies throughout their life cycle. Visitors can search for tiny eggs amongst the host plants, watch as caterpillars consume as much as 30 times their own body weight in food, identify species based on the unique chrysalis they form, and observe adult butterflies fluttering throughout the enclosure.