Home>Parks and Recreation>Plan your visit

Plan your visit

What You Can Do at the WDC
Visitors of all ages enjoy the Wildlife Discovery Center, where conservation and environmental awareness come alive. The WDC also adheres to the Next Generation Science Standards. In addition to visiting our resident animals, you can enjoy a hike and nature observation on the adjacent Middlefork Trail, or visit the Elawa Farm Park where you and your family can enjoy a picnic in the pavilion, play soccer in the field, or have fun in the huge playground.

“The WDC has an unbelievable animal collection, including one of the finest venomous reptile exhibits in the region. In my opinion, it’s a first-class facility and a real asset to the community.”
-Dr. Brady Barr, National Geographic

ANIMALS AT THE WDC
The WDC is home to approximately 85 species of animals. During regular visiting hours, you can talk with our animal keepers and meet some of our amazing animals.

NOTE: We will be adding an Animal Profile page to each animal listed below so you can learn about their natural habitats, diets, behaviors, and other fun facts. Plan to visit this page often as more Animal Profiles are added. When an animal's name is listed in BLUE, it has a profile.

Main Room:

Rhinoceros Iguana, Cyclura cornuta

Cuvier’s Dwarf Caiman, Paleosuchus palpebrosus

Asian Water Monitor, Varanus salvator

Burmese Python, Python bivittatus

Blue-tongued Skink, Tiliqua scincoides intermedia

Leaf-tailed Gecko, Uroplatus henkeli

Black Throated Monitor, Varanus albigularis ionidesi

Classroom:

American Toad, Bufo americanus

Gray Tree Frog, Hyla versicolor

Tiger Salamander, Ambystoma tigrinum

Hellbender, Cryptobranchus alleganiensis

Western Fox Snake, Pantherophis vulpinus

Eastern Coachwhip, Masticophis flagellum flagellum

Speckled Kingsnake, Lampropeltis getula holbrooki

Bullsnake, Pituophis catenifer sayi

Green Tree Python, Morelia viridis

Collard Lizards, Crotaphytus collaris

American Alligator, Alligator mississippiensis

Blandings Turtle, Emydoidea blandingii

Virginia Opossum, Didelphis virginiana

North Room:

Timber Rattlesnake, Crotalus horridus

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, Crotalus adamanteus

Eastern Massasauga, Sistrurus catenatus

Cottonmouth, Agkistrodon piscivorus

Gila Monster, Heloderma suspectum

Komodo Dragon, Varanus komodoensis

Black Throated Monitor, Varanus albigularis ionidesi

Utila Island Iguanas, Ctenosaura bakeri

Philippine SailfinDragon, Hydrosaurus pustulatus

Red Footed Tortoise, Chelonoidis carbonaria

Gopher Tortoise, Gopherus polyphemus

Office:

Alligator Snapping Turtle, Macrochelys temminckii

Giant Argentine Tegu, Tupinambis merianae

Ornate Box Turtle, Terrapene ornata ornata

Eastern Box Turtle, Terrapene carolina carolina

Eastern Screech Owl, Megascops asio

Three-banded Armadillo, Tolypeutes tricinctus

Morelet's Crocodile, Crocodylus moreletii

Outdoor:

Red-tailed Hawk, Buteo jamaicensis

Great Horned Owl, Bubo virginianus

Bald Eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bobcat, Lynx rufus

Painted Turtle, Chrysemys picta

Wood Turtle, Glyptemys insculpta

Off Display Education Animals:

Angolan Python, Python anchietae

Eastern Indigo Snake, Drymarchon couperi

Indian Python, Python molurus molurus

Linnaeus’s Two-toed Sloth, Choloepus didactylus

Broad-snouted caiman, Caiman latirostris

Eastern Milksnake, Lampropeltis Triangulum

Indian Python, Python molurus molurus

Saltwater Crocodile, Crocodylus porosus

West African Dwarf Crocodile, Osteolaemus tetraspis

Some of the images used on these animal profiles were supplied by Dr. Steve Barten, Carol Freeman or Darryl Klein. Our thanks to these photographers.

VISITOR HOURS

Indoor Exhibits
Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
10:00 am – 4:00 pm

(Closed on major holidays)

Outdoor Exhibits

Open Daily

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

SPECIAL NOTE: The WDC indoor exhibits may be closed periodically as we accommodate visiting school groups. Outdoor exhibits will still be open.

Field Trip/Event Closure Updates:

Admission to the WDC is FREE. Please NOTE, Free Admission is only for individuals and related families of 8 or less. Larger groups (schools, organizations, Scouts, tours, etc.) must set up a program prior to arrival and pay a fee that will be quoted by the WDC Curator. E-mail our Program Coordinator to set up your program.

Visitor donations are encouraged and appreciated, and support the high-quality care we give our animals.

GETTING HERE

The WDC is located at historic Elawa Farm along the 670-acre Middlefork Savanna, a globally threatened ecosystem in Lake Forest, Illinois.

1401 Middlefork Drive
Lake Forest, IL 60045

LINK TO MAPQUEST

WILD SIDE STORE

WDC-Store-Box_Turtle_190w If you’re looking for a special gift for your “wild one,” check out the fabulous plush animals available for purchase at the WDC, including: alligators, bobcats, crocodiles, iguanas, eagles, owls, armadillos, sloths, snakes and turtles.