Open 361 Days a Year: Admissions 10:00am – 3:30pm; park closes at 4:30pm

Construction is in progress around our barn. During this time, our barnyard animals will be interacting with new habitats inside and outside of the barn and receiving daily enrichment. Please bear with us while we make improvements for our animals and guests!
Learn more at wildwnc.org/gateway.

Are You a Moth or a Butterfly?

Are you a moth or a butterfly? To find out the answer, check out the following questions:

1. Do you prefer soft, fluffy textures or smooth, silky textures?
1. A. Soft and fluffy
2. B. Smooth and silky
2. Would you rather wear neutral colors or bright colors?
1. A. Neutral
2. B. Bright
3. Do you prefer to sleep all spread out or tucked in tight?
1. A. Spread out
2. B. Tucked in
4. Would you rather stay up late or wake up early?
1. A. Stay up late
2. B. Wake up early
5. Do you prefer a soft mattress or a firm mattress?
1. A. Soft mattress
2. B. Firm mattress

If you answered “A” most often, you’re a moth – “B” means you’re a butterfly! Read on to find out why.

Textures: Moths have feathery, almost fluffy textures on their body, especially their antennae. Butterflies have smooth, silky antennae.

Colors: Butterflies tend to be brightly colored to attract mates and camouflage with flowers. Moths are often more neutral colors, relying on their sense of smell to find a mate.

Sleeping: When moths rest their wings, they hold them out like a tent. When butterflies are resting, their wings are usually held vertically together over their back.

Waking: Moths are generally nocturnal, meaning they come out at night. Butterflies tend to be diurnal, meaning they’re active during the day.

Mattress: When butterflies go through metamorphosis, the caterpillar forms a chrysalis, which is a hard structure made of proteins. When moths go through metamorphosis, the caterpillar forms a cocoon, which is spun from soft silk.

Whether you’re a moth or a butterfly, both of these creatures are incredibly important. They are pollinators, they make up an important element of the food web, and they can indicate the overall health of an environment. The next time you touch a soft blanket or put on a bright yellow shirt, think about our winged friends!