October’s theme, Nocturnal Animals of Cylburn, focuses on animals that become active as the sun goes down. Each Saturday will highlight a different nocturnal animal that calls Cylburn Arboretum home and explore the adaptations that help them thrive at night. While some creatures of the night sometimes get a spooky reputation, we’ll shed some light on these often misunderstood animals and discover there’s much more to admire than fear!

Please note: NO live animals will be present during these programs.

All ages are welcome. No fee or registration required (supplies limited). Drop-in anytime between 11am to 12pm.

October 3: Observant Owls

Whooo’s awake when the sun goes down? Drop by the Nature Education Center to discover the owls that call Cylburn home and uncover the adaptations that make these nighttime hunters so well suited for life after dark. 

October 10: Remarkable Racoons

There’s a ‘masked’ visitor roaming Cylburn after dark! A raccoon’s distinctive black mask provides camouflage and helps reduce glare. Drop by the Nature Education Center to find out more about the adaptations that help them thrive at night.

October 17: Fantastic Flying squirrels

Something is soaring through the trees but it isn’t a bird or a bat! Drop by the Nature Education Center to learn more about how these small nocturnal mammals glide through the forest after dark. 

October 24: Outstanding Opossums

What’s lurking around Cylburn after dark? It might be an opossum!  Drop by the Nature Education Center to learn more about the only marsupials in North America and how they help the environment.

October 31: BOOtiful Bats

This Halloween, discover the bats that fly over Cylburn after sunset. Drop by the Nature Education Center to learn how these nocturnal mammals navigate the darkness and play an important role in our ecosystem.