Hi, I’m Nice! I’m a bearded dragon, and I’m one of the friendliest faces here at ESC. I love snacking on dubia roaches and getting misted with water. In captivity, I can live 10–15 years—much longer than my wild relatives. Come say hello!

Hello! I’m Blue, a Blue Iguana. I’m known for my striking blue-gray scales, especially as I get older. I’m a calm and curious herbivore, spending my days basking and munching on leafy greens. I’m originally from the dry forests of Grand Cayman.

Hi, I’m a Flying Gecko! Don’t worry—I don’t really fly, but I can glide between trees using the flaps on my body. I’m nocturnal and love hanging out on branches. My camouflaged skin helps me blend right into the bark.

Hey there, I’m Kate Moss, a Mossy Gecko. Just like my name says, my bumpy, textured skin looks just like moss or lichen. I’m a master of camouflage from the rainforests of New Caledonia. I’m pretty shy, but you might spot me clinging to leaves or branches.

Hi, I’m Agnes, Blue-Tongued Skink. My tongue is bright blue, and I flash it to surprise anything that might bother me. I have a strong bite, but I’m actually very docile. I’m new here at ESC—ask your teacher to bring you to meet me!

Hi, I’m Rickie, a Ball Python. When I’m nervous, I curl into a tight ball—that’s how I got my name! I’m one of the oldest residents here and help teach students about snakes from Africa’s grasslands and forests.

Hi, I’m Mabaline, a Corn Snake! I get my name from the checkered pattern on my belly, which looks like kernels on an ear of corn. I’m docile, curious, and a wonderful ambassador for helping people overcome fears about snakes.

Hi, we’re Red-Eared Sliders, the most common turtles you might see in ponds. We’re named for the little red patch behind our eyes. We love basking in the sun on logs and can live for decades with proper care.

Hi, I’m a Louie, a Leopard Gecko. I’m covered in cool spotted patterns, and I’m one of the friendliest reptiles you’ll meet. Unlike most geckos, I have eyelids and I can’t climb smooth walls—but I’m great at hunting insects in the dark!

Hello, I’m an Eastern Ribbon Snake. I’m slender, quick, and non-venomous. I love hanging out near water, where I hunt for small frogs and fish. My sleek body helps me glide smoothly through grasses and over ponds.

Hi, I’m a Uromastyx. I come from the hot, dry deserts of Africa and the Middle East, so my home here is warm and rocky. I’m a herbivore and love basking under my heat lamp. Come see how I’ve adapted to desert life!

Hello, I’m an Albino Corn Snake. I don’t have the usual dark pigments, so my scales are bright orange, yellow, and white. I’m completely harmless and help show students how diverse and beautiful snakes can be.

Gobble gobble! I’m one of ESC’s turkeys. I might look like a farm animal, but I’m also a great teacher about bird behavior, feathers, and where our food comes from. I love strutting around and exploring the yard!

Hello! I’m a Mudskipper, and I’m a fish that loves to be out of the water! I use my strong fins to “walk” and climb on mudflats. I can even breathe through my skin when I’m on land. I’m always ready for an adventure—in water or on shore.

Hi, I’m a Banded Bamboo Shark. I’m a small, gentle shark that likes to hide in the sand during the day. I’m nocturnal, and I use the whisker-like barbels near my mouth to find yummy crustaceans and small fish in the sand.

Hi, I’m an axolotl! People sometimes call me a “walking fish,” but I’m actually an amphibian—a salamander that never grows up! I keep my feathery gills all my life and can even regrow lost limbs. I’m native to the lakes of Mexico.

Hello! I’m a Red-Eyed Tree Frog. My bright red eyes and colorful body help me startle predators—and maybe impress visitors! I’m an expert jumper and spend most of my time in the trees of Central American rainforests.

Hello! We are the Eastern Honey Bees. You’ll often find us buzzing between our four hives and the gardens, hard at work pollinating flowers. We’re essential to ecosystems—and to your food! Our beekeepers help care for us, and sometimes we even share our honey during tasting lessons.

Hi, I’m a Chocolate Chip Sea Star. I get my name from the dark, chocolate-like bumps covering my body. I live on the ocean floor and help keep it clean by eating debris. Unlike a fish, I move using hundreds of tiny tube feet on my underside!

Hello, I’m a Sea Urchin. I may look spiky, but I’m actually a grazer. My spines protect me while I slowly roam the seafloor, scraping algae off rocks with my special mouthpart called “Aristotle’s lantern.”

Hi, I’m a Lionfish. My striking fins are beautiful, but they carry venom for defense. In the Atlantic Ocean, I’m an invasive species, but here I help teach students about protecting coral reefs and balancing ecosystems.

Hi, we’re Fire-Bellied Toads! When we feel threatened, we show off our bright orange and black bellies to warn predators. We’re semi-aquatic and love both land and water. Our vivid colors are a classic example of nature’s warning signs!

Cluck, cluck! We’re the ESC chickens. We love scratching in the dirt, foraging for bugs, and teaching about farm life and where eggs come from. We each have our own personality—come see who’s the boldest in the flock!

Hello, I’m a Tarantula. I may look intimidating, but I’m quite shy. I have special hairs that I can flick if I feel threatened. I’m an ambush predator, and I help show that spiders are fascinating—not scary!

Hi, I’m a White’s Tree Frog. I’m known for my calm personality, big round eyes, and cute smile. I have special pads on my toes that let me climb glass and leaves with ease. I originally come from the forests of Australia and New Guinea.

Hello, I'm a Clown Fish! You might recognize me from popular movies, but there’s more to me than bright orange and white stripes. I have a special friendship with sea anemones—their stinging tentacles don’t hurt me, and in return, I help keep them clean. I live in small social groups led by the largest female. Come see me darting through the anemone at ESC!