Meet Our Animals

The Chattanooga Arboretum and Nature Center has a broad collection of approximately 50 animals that are native to east Tennessee including endangered and threatened species and species in need of management. These Animal Ambassadors live at the nature center because they have been impacted by humans in a way that does not allow them to return to the wild. Usually, they have suffered an injury, been kept as a pet illegally or are part of a species survival plan. They will remain with us receiving excellent care and becoming animal ambassadors for their species.

We are 1 of 40 facilities in the world which house the 8^th most endangered mammal in the world, the Red Wolf. There are approximately 200 captive Red Wolves housed in nature centers and zoos in the United States. Approximately 100 wild Red Wolves inhabit 1.7 million acres in northeastern North Carolina and are monitored by US Fish and Wildlife.

Many of these Animal Ambassadors are used in our educational programs and help thousands of school children and adults learn more about each species, their habitats and how we can help them.

Our Animal Ambassadors can be seen on your visits to CA&NC in the Wildlife Wanderland, Snake Tale Alley, and Hidden Creatures of the Forest exhibits. Some of our animals are off exhibit and can only be seen in the classroom. When you visit, if you do not see the animal you hoped to see, please ask the front desk to find a member of the wildlife staff and we will try to accommodate you.

Birds | American Crow | American Kestrel | Bald Eagle | Barn Owl | Barred Owl | Black Vulture | Broad-winged Hawk | Great Horned Owl | Red-tailed Hawk | Turkey Vulture

Mammals | Bobcat | Red Wolf | Southern Flying Squirrel | Virginia Opossum | Woodchuck

Reptiles and Amphibians | American Toad| Black Kingsnake | Corn Snake | Common Garter Snake | Eastern Box Turtle | Eastern Tiger Salamander | Green Anole | Green Treefrog | Midland Ratsnake | Northern Pinesnake | Pond Slider