Little Ray's Nature Center - Syracuse

06/21/2025

Feeling the heat out there? ☀️🦎 You’re not the only one—our iguanas are soaking it up!

As cold-blooded reptiles, iguanas rely on external heat sources to stay active and healthy. In the wild, they spend their days basking in the sun high up in the trees, using their strong tails and sharp claws to navigate and thrive.

But while they’re built for the heat, you don’t have to be—come beat the heat and visit us at Little Ray’s inside Destiny USA! We’ve got air conditioning, fascinating animals, and a perfect way to cool off while learning something wild! 🪴🦥

06/20/2025

Meet Pompkin!
We’re thrilled to have this gorgeous blood python as part of our reptile family! 🐍💚

Blood pythons are native to Southeast Asia and are known for their thick, muscular bodies and shorter tails compared to other python species. Their powerful build helps them ambush prey in dense forest environments, and their bold coloration makes them one of the most striking snakes around.

Despite their intense appearance, blood pythons can be calm and curious animals—and we love having this beautiful girl in our care. Her unique look and gentle nature make her a staff favorite!

06/19/2025

Escape the heat and the rain! ☔️ Indulge in our cool air conditioning with the kids! We are open tomorrow from 10-8 🎉

06/15/2025

Today we’re celebrating Father’s Day by shining a spotlight on one of the most devoted dads in the reptile world—the tokay gecko!

Unlike many reptiles, male tokay geckos take an active role in parenting. After the female lays her eggs, the male helps guard the nest, keeping predators away and making sure the eggs stay safe. But it doesn’t stop there—tokay dads will often stick around after the hatchlings emerge, keeping a close watch until the young geckos are ready to take on the world.

Protective, patient, and proud💙
Happy Father’s Day from all of us (and our reptile dads) here at Little Ray’s Nature Centre!

To all the amazing dads out there—we’re celebrating YOU today! Mention this post to get free admission for dads visiting our Nature Center today! 🐾

06/15/2025

🦥💚 Happy Father’s Day from our favorite slow-moving dad Flash! 💚🦥

Flash may not be the most hands-on parent (he prefers just hanging out—literally), but we’re still grateful to him for helping bring our adorable baby sloth Fig into the world for us all to admire and love! 🍼🌿

To all the amazing dads out there—thank you for the care, love, and support you give every day. We’re celebrating YOU today! Mention this post to get free admission for dads visiting our Nature Center today! 🐾💚

Bring your family, enjoy the day, and maybe swing by to say hi to our sloth dad too 😉

06/14/2025

Looking for something wild to do this week? 🐍🦥🦎 We’re open 7 days a week and ready to introduce you to some amazing animals!

🕒 Hours:
Monday–Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday–Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Come explore the world of reptiles, mammals, and everything in between—right inside Destiny USA! Perfect for families, animal lovers, and anyone ready to learn something new.

06/13/2025

06/13/2025

Rudolph the bullsnake doesn’t need antlers—just attitude 🐍
Known for their loud hissing and bluffing skills, bullsnakes like Rudolph put on a show but are totally harmless!

06/10/2025

🐾🌊 June is National Zoo & Aquarium Month! 🌊🐾

Get ready to go wild for wildlife! 🦥🦈 This month, we celebrate the incredible work zoos and aquariums do to protect endangered species, educate the public, and inspire future conservationists. 🌍💚

🦊 DID YOU KNOW?
Many modern zoos and aquariums are vital centers for conservation, helping to reintroduce species into the wild and protect habitats around the globe!

🙉 How to Celebrate:
✔️ Visit your local zoo or aquarium
✔️ Support wildlife conservation efforts
✔️ Learn about your favorite animal
✔️ Share a fun animal fact with friends!

📸 Snap a pic with your favorite animal (real or plush!) and post here! — let’s show the world we care about our planet’s amazing creatures! 🌿

06/10/2025

That hit the spot!!! Wilson loves his morning back scratches! 👏💫

06/09/2025

Wow! Please always be careful with your trash and not leave anything behind whenever you are out and about in nature!!

I’ve seen some crazy things over the past 25 years as a herpetologist, but this is a first. This ratsnake had entangled itself in a pull tab from an aluminum can. I can’t imagine how long this poor guy was stuck like this, but fortunately we were able to cut the tab off, clean the wound out and send him on his way. Aside from the tab, this snake was is very good condition, not lethargic, dehydrated, or under weight. I expect a quick and speedy recovery from the wound.

06/08/2025

Still hanging in there? 🦥 So is our two-toed sloth—literally!

Two-toed sloths are perfectly adapted for life in the treetops. With powerful limbs, curved claws, and an incredible grip, they spend most of their lives hanging upside down from branches. Their calm nature and gentle movements make them a favorite among guests—and a true symbol of taking life at your own pace.

Come visit our sloth and see just how amazing these tree-dwelling mammals really are! 🌿