Photos from Little Rays Reptile Zoo and Nature Centre- Hamilton's post

WE ARE EXPANDING!!! 4 years ago yesterday we opened Little Ray's Reptile Zoo & Nature Centre in Hamilton. After a few tough years establishing ourselves it is with GREAT PLEASURE that we announce we have not just survived but we are growing. Little Ray's Hamilton will be more than doubling in size and bringing in 2 world class touring exhibits as well as some spectacular new animals and permanent displays and celebrating another GRAND OPENING Canada Day weekend. I would be remiss if I did not thank our incredible staff who have been with us over the years with a special shout out to Steve Featherstone, who helped us get rooted there, Alexandra Windsor who has be a key addition to our management team and especially Kevin Dungey who has worked tirelessly over the past 2 years and has been 100% committed to taking the zoo and the programming to the next level. I would further like to thank our landlord, Rosart Properties, The City of Hamilton council and staff, and most of all, the families in the Greater Hamilton Area and other adjacent communities for their support over the past 4 years. I remember opening in Hamilton all too well. People being elated, people being pessimistic wondering how we could survive and questioning our motivation for considering Hamilton, and our initial challenges with City zoning. We have had our ups and downs and challenges along the way but we have fought the good fight, stayed patient and committed even while coming very close to the end. It is with great pleasure that I announce today that not only will we survive, we are growing and will be better than ever. I LOVE having a business in Hamilton. It is a great grass routes blue collar town (and I mean that as a huge compliment in an otherwise busy white collar world). I love the culture, the restaurants, the music scene, the honesty, the diversity and most of all the people. Today is a GREAT day! We hope to see you in 'THE NEW' Little Nature Centre in Hamilton very soon. Your friend, Little Ray.. WIN A FREE FAMILY PASS - If you 'Share' this post and comment 'Little Ray's Nature Centre in Hamilton ROCKS' your name will go in a draw for a annual family membership. We will be drawing one name a week from the previous weeks 'comment' and 'share' over the next 3 weeks. Yes you can 're-share' and comment every week to be in the draw 3 times... We will be drawing names at noon on Friday... Photo 1 - The new space at the front of the mall Photo 2 - Kevin, Alex, and Amanda in the zoo yesterday Photo 3 - Steve and I with our very first visitors at the zoo June 8th, 2013. Photo 4 - 'Frogs - Weird Gross Cool ' is one of the 2 exhibits coming...

Who likes big announcements??? We have one coming today...... Very excited! Little Ray.

Little Ray's Reptile Zoo

CHECK THIS OUT!!! This amazing exhibit is coming to Hamilton :-).

Timeline Photos

Jr. Zookeeper Summer Camp! We still have spots available in our Jr. Zookeeper camp this summer! Camp will run from July 3rd-Sept 1st (including civic Monday). *Please note that field trips are weather permitting and dependent on the number of campers registered* Week 1 (July 3-7) - Where the Wild Things Are Our planet is filled with a variety of different habitats and ecosystems. Learn about all of these unique places, and how animals are adapted to survive there. Field Trip - Africa Lion Safari Week 2 (July 10-14) - Conservation Nation Crazy about conservation? Learn about endangered species around the world and here in your own backyard. Field Trip - Ontario Science Centre Week 3 (July 17-21) - Animal Super Heroes Take part in our super hero training camp, before learning about the heroes of the animal world (and of course the villains!) Field Trip - Valens Conservation Area Week 4 (July 24-28) - Care of Magical Creatures For all or magi-zoologists! Learn about biodiversity, and how zookeepers care for magical and non-magical creatures. Field Trip - Safari Niagara Week 5 (July 31-Aug 4) - Weird and Wacky Wildlife We live in a world full of crazy critters! Learn about weird animal diets, the strange ways animals defend themselves, and unusual animal behaviours. Field Trip: Christie Conservation Area Week 6 (Aug 7-11) - Modern Day Dinosaurs Learn about modern day dinosaurs at the zoo, and make a dinosaur of your own! Field Trip - Reptilia Week 7 (Aug 14-18) - Feasts for the Beasts Ever wanted to be a zoo chef? Learn about different animal diets, and the weird food that some animals eat. Field Trip - Twin Valley Zoo Week 8 (Aug 21-25) - Animals Around the World Travel around the world with your official zoo passport, and learn how animals are adapted to live in different areas. Field Trip - Bird Kingdom Week 9 (Aug 28-Sept 1) - Everything But the Kitchen Sink Campers will dabble in a variety of different animal topics such as animal behaviour, defences, and adaptations. Field Trip - Donkey Sanctuary ------- Camp is $240+tax/week. Book for a second week and receive $20 off! For more information and registration forms, please contact: hamilton@raysreptiles.com We will see you this summer!

At long last, an end to the snapping turtle hunt – Ontario Nature Blog

INCREDIBLE NEWS for Ontario's snapping turtles! It's about time!

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Happy March Break!!! Looking for something exciting to do this March Break? Come and visit us this week at Little Ray's Reptile Zoo and Nature Centre- Hamilton for a WILD adventure! We are open 10am-5pm all week! Come and meet are furry and scaly friends up close! We have hands on presentations and feeding demonstrations approximately every 45min. Admission is $12.50+tax We'll see you at the zoo!

Little Ray's Reptile Zoo

AJ+

Do you want to save rainforests around the world? Do you look for palm oil in products you buy? Palm oil is the largest cause of deforestation in Indonesia and other tropical countries. If you want to help save the rainforest please look for palm oil in the products you buy and put them back on the shelf. Have a great Thursday, Little Ray.

Little Ray's Reptile Zoo

Timeline Photos

Our event at Bingeman's center last week in Kitchener was so much fun! Thank you to everyone who came out! I'm sure all who attended saw our giant polar bear stuffy that we raffled off. Congratulations to Emma-Lee who won not only the bear, but also $200 towards her next Little Ray's or Animal Ambassadors birthday party!!!!