Little Ray's Nature Center - Syracuse

06/19/2026

🐾 Happy Veterinary Appreciation Day! 🩺💙

Today, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the incredible veterinarians who help keep our animals healthy, happy, and thriving. From routine wellness exams to emergency care, their expertise, compassion, and dedication play a vital role in the well-being of every animal at Little Ray’s Nature Center.

Caring for a diverse collection of animals takes a team effort, and we are so fortunate to work alongside veterinary professionals who are always ready to lend their knowledge, support, and care. Their commitment helps us provide the highest standard of animal welfare every single day.

Thank you for everything you do for our animals, our staff, and our mission. We appreciate Dr. Jordan and the team at Liverpool Village Animal Hospital, the team at Cornell Animal Hospital and Dr. Ryan for all their hard work, dedication, and passion!

💙 Happy Veterinary Appreciation Day from all of us at Little Ray’s Nature Center! 🐢🦎🐍🦥🐸🐊🦔🐇

06/18/2026

Today we celebrate World Crocodile Day

🐊 Of Patience and Evolution

Like a living fossil that’s been around for over 235 million years, this fascinating reptile shows us how evolution and growth require patience.

Its primal staying power is developed by patiently waiting for its prey to walk right into its path before delivering a swift, deadly blow.

Thick, tough, and having the ability to hold underwater for over an hour, it is strategic on how it stalks its prey, waiting patiently for the right moments.

Taking a page from the Crocodile, do not rush into decisions that you are uncertain of.

Wait until the right time, when your instincts show you its time to make the move.

Observe your surroundings, conserve your energy, and act only when Spirit directs you.

Focus on growth and evolution. Sometimes, the best things come to those who wait. 💕🐊

06/17/2026

📣 We are excited to share an update from the field! This is what our hard work is all about, getting to give back to projects and people that are out there saving species and habitats!

“I am writing to check in following my return from the Siamese crocodile conservation trip in Cambodia and Laos, where we also worked with Cambodian Royal Terrapin (Batagur) and Asian Giant Softshell turtles. During the trip, we successfully released 20 Batagur in Cambodia and 10 Siamese crocodiles in Laos.

In Cambodia, four members of the Mandai Wildlife Group team from Singapore joined us for the first week. They assisted in obtaining morphometrics for all hatchlings and two-year-old Asian Giant Softshell turtles, as well as the 20 Batagur prior to their release. We also collected weights and measurements from 29 adult breeding Batagur to assess post-nesting body condition. This is a labor-intensive task that Chris performs annually to evaluate the health of the breeding colony. Having the extra support transformed this from an all-day project into a morning exercise”

👏 Thank you all for your support, it helps us to make this happen!"

06/13/2026

🐢 Today is the last day of Turtle Week so Slow Down and come Say Hello to Our Turtles! 🐢

Did you know that turtles have been around for over 200 million years, making them older than dinosaurs? These incredible reptiles come in many shapes and sizes, and each one has its own unique personality! All tortoises are turtles but not all turtles are tortoises. Visit us to learn the difference! 👏

When you visit Little Ray’s Nature Center, you can get an up-close look at some amazing turtles while learning:
🌿 Why a turtle’s shell is part of its skeleton
💧 How aquatic turtles and land tortoises have adapted to different habitats
🥬 What turtles eat and how we care for them
🌎 Why protecting wetlands and natural habitats is so important for their survival

Come explore, ask questions, and discover why these animals are some of the most fascinating creatures on the planet!

📍 Visit Little Ray’s Nature Center and meet our shelled friends—you might even find your new favorite animal! 🐢💚

06/13/2026

On this last day of Wild Turtle Week, we want to remind you that wild turtles belong in the wild, and pet turtles belong in responsible homes (aka NOT in the wild)!

Did you know it's illegal in New York to A) collect turtles from the wild or B) to release pet turtles into natural habitats? Taking wild turtles can harm native turtle populations, especially because many species reproduce slowly and are already facing many threats, such as habitat loss.

Releasing pet turtles is also a problem. Turtles have very complex needs and a long lifespan, which can lead to people abandoning them when they outgrow their small tanks. Releasing a pet turtle, or "setting it free," can do more harm than good for the animal and for the area it was released into. Many dumped pets don’t survive, and those that do can introduce diseases, compete with native wildlife, and disrupt local ecosystems. For example, the red-eared slider turtle (pictured here) is a popular pet and is now invasive on every continent except Antarctica!

If you or someone you know can no longer care for a pet turtle, contact a local reptile rescue, animal shelter, or wildlife agency for guidance. And if you see a turtle in the wild, the best thing you can do is admire it from a distance and leave it right where you found it.

📷: Melissa Fadden

06/11/2026

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06/09/2026

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06/06/2026

New York’s 2026 Invasive Species Awareness Week (NYISAW) officially kicks off starting June 8 and goes to June 14! Learn about invasive species, the threats they pose, and how to take steps to prevent their spread in order to protect the beauty, biodiversity and economy of New York ecosystems.

Check out activities, webinars, and guided events happening across the state! See comments below for more information 👇

05/30/2026