American Prairie, in partnership with ZooMontana, is pleased to announce the return of “ECO-Critters” to the National Discovery Center in Lewistown. On Saturday, August 9, from 10am to 4pm, educational staff from ZooMontana in Billings will return to Lewistown with live animals from around the world in the fourth of five scheduled visits in 2025.
ECO-Critters, designed for everyone interested in Earth’s living creatures, is one of several free educational programs developed by American Prairie’s National Discovery Center staff. Visiting Lewistown on August 9 will be “Moana” the bearded dragon, “Ginger” the garter snake, and Madagascar hissing cockroaches.
Bearded dragons are native to Australia, their name coming from the spiked throat pouch they inflate when they are excited or feel threatened. Their color can range from tan to brown with gold and red highlights, depending on their environment. Bearded dragons, like Moana, are omnivores, which mean they eat both plants and animals. Their natural diet includes fruit and leaves and any small invertebrates they can catch, such as lizards.
Garter snakes, like Ginger, are native to North and Central America. They are named for the stripes on their bodies that resemble ladies’ garter belts, although there are many variations of garter snakes and they can look different in different places. These variations have led to scientific disagreements about classification. Interestingly, garter snakes can retain toxins in their liver from their amphibian prey, making them one of the few snakes on Earth that can be both venomous and poisonous! Montana is home to three species of garter snakes – the Common Garter Snake, the Plains Garter Snake, and the Terrestrial Garter Snake. They are often found near water, but also inhabit woodlands and grasslands. Which species is Ginger? Come and find out!
Madagascar hissing cockroaches are one of the world’s largest species of cockroach: they can grow to two or three inches long! They are native to the island of Madagascar off the southeast African mainland. They are commonly found in rotting logs. These cockroaches are wingless, so cannot fly to escape danger. Instead, they “hiss” by expelling air through their bodies as a defensive measure to scare away potential predators! They primarily eat vegetable matter and have been known to live up to five years in captivity.
During this free event, visitors can explore multiple stations and learn about the natural world the animals live in and how they are cared for at the zoo. Visitors can also tour the National Discovery Center exhibits and learn even more about prairie plants and animals. ZooMontana Education and Outreach staff will be on hand to answer questions and handle the animals.
The American Prairie National Discovery Center is located at 302 W. Main Street in Lewistown, and is open Thursday through Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Visit americanprairie.org/national-discovery-center to learn more, and follow American Prairie on Facebook for updates on upcoming events and programming.
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