Open 361 Days a Year: Admissions 10:00am – 3:30pm; park closes at 4:30pm
Reservations are not required, and tickets do not need to be purchased online in advance.
Elaphe gutata gutata
Appearance: Corn snakes are long, slender, and brightly colored. Corn snake coloration is highly variable and can be affected by the snakes’ age, the region in which they live, and if it was bred for the pet trade. Also known as red rat snakes, their colors can range from reds, grays, oranges, blacks, and yellows. The name “corn snake” can be attributed to the scale pattern on their belly, which resembles flint corn, and their tendency to frequent corn cribs to eat visiting mice.
Range: Corn snakes live in the southeast and as far north as New Jersey and as far west as eastern New Mexico and Colorado, usually in wooded or rocky areas, meadows, along waterways, wood lots, barnyards, and abandoned houses. Corn snakes are most active at night, but it is possible to see them in the early evening. During the day they can usually be found hiding in leaf litter or under rocks or logs.
Diet: Corn snakes use their ability to climb trees and rafters in search of prey, including mice, rats, birds, bats, and bird eggs. Like other rat snakes, corn snakes are non-venomous and can subdue their prey by constriction.
Date of Birth: July 2009
Ginger was donated to the WNC Nature Center in July 2013 by a family who kept her as a pet. Ginger grew up in the pet trade and has never known life in the wild. Her pattern has beautiful red undertones.
Date of Birth: September 2012
Kettle and his brother Caramel were both born at the WNC Nature Center. Kettle enjoys using tunnels for enrichment.
Date of Birth: September 2012
Carmel and his brother Kettle were both born at the WNC Nature Center. Caramel is a very docile snake and quite the artist! Using non-toxic paint, his keepers help him paint a canvas with his body. Sometimes this artwork is available for sale at the Nature Center Gift Shop!
Generally shy and reclusive animals, black bears avoid human contact and are not normally aggressive. Two black bears, Uno and Ursa, live at the Nature Center.
Red wolves are highly endangered species that has been eliminated from almost all of its natural range. Our breeding pair of red wolves, Oak and Gloria, are part of the AZA Species Survival Plan.
Similar to the Nigerian dwarf goat, the American pygmy is a small goat that only reaches 1-2 feet in height. They vary widely in coloration including white, tan, caramel, gray, and black.
River otters are masterful in the water. Obi and Olive, the two otters at the Nature Center, love to show their playful side in their habitat!
WNC Nature Center
75 Gashes Creek Road
Asheville, NC 28805
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General Inquiries
828-259-8080
admin@wildwnc.org
Friends of the
WNC Nature Center
PO Box 19151
Asheville, NC 28815
828-259-8092
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