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.

ANIMAL LOCATION KEY:
NORTHERN EXHIBIT HALL
MAIN EXHIBIT HALL
OUTDOOR EXHIBITS
CLASSROOM
PROGRAM ANIMALS OFF EXHIBIT

AMPHIBIANS
	Frogs
	African Bull Frog, Pyxicephalus adspersus
	Toads
	American Toad, Bufo americanus
	Surinam Giant Marine Toad, Bufo marinus
	Salamanders
	Mudpuppy, Necturus maculosus
	Tiger Salamander, Ambystoma tigrinum
BIRDS
	Eastern Screech Owl, Megascops asio
	Great Horned Owl, Bubo virginianus
	Red-tailed Hawk, Buteo jamaicensis
MAMMALS
	Bobcat, Lynx rufus
REPTILES
	Crocodilians
	American Alligator, Alligator mississippiensis
	Cuvier’s Dwarf Caiman, Paleosuchus palpebrosus
	Morelet's Crocodile, Crocodylus moreletii
	Saltwater Crocodile, Crocodylus porosus
	Siamese Crocodile, Crocodylus siamensis
	Spectacled Caiman, Caiman crocodilus
	Lizards
	Asian Water Monitor, Varanus salvator
	Black Throated Monitor, Varanus albigularis ionidesi
	Blue Tongued Skink, Tiliqua intermedia
	Crested Gecko, Correlophus ciliatus
	Giant Argentine Tegu, Tupinambis merianae
	Gila Monster, Heloderma suspectum
	Jackson's Chameleon, Trioceros jacksonii
	Leaf-tailed Gecko, Uroplatus henkeli
	Red Tegu, Tupinambis rufescens
	Rhinoceros Iguana, Cyclura cornuta
	Snakes - Non-venomous
	Angolan Python, Python anchietae
	Black Rat Snake, Elaphe obsoleta
	Blue Racer, Coluber constrictor foxii
	Bullsnake, Pituophis catenifer sayi
	Butler's Garter Snake, Thamnophis butleri
	Cape Gopher Snake, Pituophis catenifer vertebralis
	Colombian Boa Constrictor, Boa constrictor imperator
	Corn Snake, Pantherophis guttatus
	Dumeril’s Boa, Boa dumerili
	Eastern Coachwhip, Masticophis flagellum flagellum
	Eastern Indigo Snake, Drymarchon couperi
	Eastern Milksnake, Lampropeltis triangulum
	Emerald Tree Boa, Corallus caninus
	Everglades Ratsnake, Elaphe obsoleta rossalleni
	Great Plains Ratsnake, Pantherophis emoryi
	Green Tree Python, Morelia viridis
	Indian Python, Python molurus molurus
	Nelson’s Milksnake, Lampropeltis triangulum nelsoni
	Peruvian Red-tailed Boa, Boa constrictor constrictor
	Red Milksnake, Lampropeltis triangulum syspila
	Rhinoceros Ratsnake, Rhynchophis boulengeri
	Sinaloan Milksnake, Lampropeltis triangulum sinaloae
	Speckled Kingsnake, Lampropeltis getula holbrooki
	Western Fox Snake, Elaphe vulpina
	Western Hognose Snake, Heterodon nasicus
	Snakes - Venomous
	Cottonmouth, Agkistrodon piscivorus
	Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, Crotalus adamanteus
	Eastern Massasauga, Sistrurus catenatus
	Mexican Black-tailed Rattlesnake, Crotalus molossus nigrescens
	Mexican Pigmy Rattlesnake, Sistrurus ravus
	Mojave Rattlesnake, Crotalus scutulatus
	Prairie Rattlesnake
	Southern Copperhead
	Timber Rattlesnake, Crotalus horridus
	Western Diamondback Rattlesnake
	Tortoises
	Aldabra Tortoise
	Gopher Tortoise, Gopherus polyphemus
	Pancake Tortoise
	Red Footed Tortoise, Chelonoidis carbonaria
	Turtles
	Alligator Snapping Turtle, Macrochelys temminckii
	Blandings Turtle, Emydoidea blandingii
	Eastern Box Turtle, Terrapene carolina carolina
	Fly River Turtle, Carettochelys insculpta
	Musk Turtle, Sternotherus odoratus
	Ornate Box Turtle, Terrapene ornata ornata
	Painted Turtle, Chrysemys picta
	Wood Turtle, Glyptemys insculpta
	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.

July Closings:

WDC will be closed July 11th

WDC will open at 12pm at July 14th

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.