Meet the Animals
The animals living at Dodge Nature Center are selected for their educational value. In keeping with our dedication to preserve the natural world, many of our animals are endangered or recovering from low numbers.
Raptors
The raptors living in the Voight Raptor Mew near the main office were donated to Dodge Nature Center due to permanent injury and unreleasable status.
Bald Eagle: Dodge Nature Center’s Bald Eagle came from the Raptor Center in northern Minnesota in 1979 after being hit by a car and losing a wing. The national symbol of the United States was once an endangered species, but with education about Bald Eagles and the importance of protecting their habitat, there are now about 50,000 Bald Eagles in the United States.
Barred Owl: The Barred Owl lives all across the United States and eats mammals. Its call sounds like “who cooks for you, who cooks for you-u-u-u-u all?” Dodge Nature Center’s Barred Owl was also hit by a car and is blind in one eye.
American Kestrel: The American Kestrel is the smallest falcon in the United States as well as the most colorful raptor in North America. They live in the wild all over the United States, including cities. Dodge Nature Center’s kestrel has a damaged wing, but is a popular raptor in many of our outreach programs.
Red Tailed Hawk: When Red Tailed Hawks are young their tails are brown, not red. They are the most widespread hawk in the United States and can be found almost everywhere except the tundra. The Red Tailed Hawk at Dodge Nature Center can not fly due to a broken collarbone.
Farm Animals
Farm animals are available for viewing from outside of pasture fences in the summer.
Farm tours for groups available by reservation only. See School Programs.
Family tours are available in spring/summer. See Public Programs.
American Burro: The Spanish word “burro” is often used interchangeably with the English word “donkey”. Burros were brought to the United States from Mexico hundreds of years ago. Dodge Nature Center has an American Burro, who can be seen near the barn.
Clun Forest Sheep: Dodge Nature Center is home to a few Clun Forest Sheep. This breed originally grazed grassy mountain tops, but now munches on plants growing in our pasture.
Dexter Cow: Minnesota’s own railroad tycoon James J. Hill was known to own a large herd of these rare animals almost 100 years ago. The Dexter Cow is one of the smallest breeds of bovines in the world and requires less food and space at Dodge Nature Center.
Guinea Hogs: Dodge Nature Center owns a handful of the last 200 remaining guinea hogs in the world. The piglets are much gentler than other breeds, so they can be used for educating children about farm life.
Toggenburg Goats: Toggenburg Goats are one of the oldest dairy goats originating from Switzerland. These goats often are found roaming in and around the barn.
Orpington Chickens: Orpington Chickens are large, tan or buff colored chickens that live on the farm. Dodge Nature Center uses them for farm education and egg production.
Spanish Chickens: These black colored chickens are a critically endangered breed. Spanish Chickens are often called “clown faced” because they have a white face that looks similar to that of a clown.
Wyandotte Chickens: Wyandotte Chickens are black and white dappled chickens. This breed is quite vocal and will often make soft clucking noises.
Pigeons: Dodge Nature Center staff is in the process of training Homing Pigeons to be used for future educational programs. Look for pigeon classes in which students can bring a bird back to their school and attach a note to send to Dodge Nature Center.
Reptiles and Amphibians
For the safety of our visitors and animals, Dodge Nature Center’s reptiles and amphibians live behind locked doors. Visitors can meet these animals in person by registering for one of our reptiles and amphibians programs or participating in an outreach program.
Snakes
Common Garter: Found in all Minnesota habitats, the Common Garter has a black slender body with three orange, green, or tan stripes along the body and a tan or yellow belly. They eat amphibians, worms, minnows, slugs and small rodents.
Eastern Fox Snake: Found in Minnesota and neighboring states, the Eastern Fox snake is light brown with dark brown or black markings. These snakes eat small mammals, eggs and young birds.
Bull Snake: The Bull Snake has a yellow body with dark to reddish brown spots. They eat small mammals, frogs, birds and eggs and are found in the wild near open woodlands, prairies and fields in Southeast Minnesota.
Turtles
Snapping Turtle: Snapping Turtles are found all around Minnesota in lakes, ponds, rivers and creeks. They grow to almost a foot and a half and eat aquatic insects, fish, frogs, crayfish, snails and plants.
Painted Turtle: Found in creeks, ponds, rivers and lakes, Painted Turtles compete with Snapping Turtles for food.
Three-Toed Box Turtle: This smaller turtle eats a variety of food including fungi, moss, berries and grasses. Just under half a foot long, its high domed shells can shut tight together like a box.
Frogs
Northern Leopard Frog: The Northern Leopard Frog is found near water throughout Minnesota. They are greenish brown with 2-4 rows of dark spots.
Bull Frog: These large frogs are found in southern Minnesota and lay 5,000 to 20,000 eggs one time each year. Bull frogs range in color from bright green to dark olive green with white bellies.
Tiger Salamander: Found near water, wetlands and coniferous forests, the Tiger Salamander’s back is dark brown with yellow spots. They have small eyes and eat earthworms and insects.
