We had a few great birthdays this week! It's such a pleasure being able to bring education into an entertaining show. The kids have a great time seeing animals they have never seen before and learning a new thing or two about animals they see all the time. Chalupa, the tarantula, still holds the record for the most "gasps" and also the most "cool!" reactions. We supervise the birthday child while they get the very special experience of having her walk across their hand.

Birthday parties are all about having fun, but it's amazing how much kids enjoy learning about animals. We are all about experience-based learning and that's exactly what the kids get, experiences they will never forget.

Things are going on quite as usual here at Animal Wonders. The birds are having fun singing/screaming to music, the reptiles are enjoying warm baths, the mammals are playing with their newest toys (big cardboard tubes), and everything day life happens.

We had a great Presentation with the Russell School Cub Scouts yesterday. We talked about conservation, adaptations, niches, endangered animals, and environments. They were such a great audience and had so many great questions. Thanks for a great night boys (and girls)!

Thank you for your generous donation to Animal Wonders. Because of you we are able to reach our goals. The animals are thankful for your kindness as well.

We just had two wonderful birthday party Presentations that last few days. We has so much fun and so did the animals. Curly Bird (white-cheeked turaco) loves how excited the kids get when they see him that he always poofs up  his crest and gives them a hearty hello back! Tango (Patagonian cavy) did amazing with the kids, he let the birthday girl feed him and give him a few pets before showing off his incredibly long legs. Zoe, Louie, and Oliver all were very sweet and enjoyed getting treats from the birthday kids. Chalupa (Chilean-rose-haired tarantula) gave the kids an experience they might never forget. Though, we were informed by they girls that next time we should leave the spider at home!

We are very happy to say that Curly Bird is still doing well and really does enjoy the audience and showing off his amazing self. He's 13 years old this year and has outlived most White-Cheeked Turacos. He's showing his age just a little with his orange eye displays lacking the brightness they once possessed. Other than that you wouldn't be able to tell he's a very old man. Most Turacos don't live past 12 years, so we are so happy and thankful that Curly is still with us and giving Montanans a glimpse at a unique and wonderful animal.

Sorry it's been awhile since the last post. We've been busy with everyday chores and business as usual. The animals are all doing great! Quigley (brush-tailed bettong) and Tango (Patagonian Cavy) are growing bigger every day. Quigley loves to play with his toys, his newest interest is digging at your shoes with his long nails. He doesn't chew like a rodent, but he does like to bite on and tug at the material. He seems to really enjoy new smells.

Every morning Tango goes out to his Dirt Room to play and it's like he's discovering it for the first time, he hops and jumps, kicks, and twirls like he's never been happier. Cheeks (Netherland Dwarf Rabbit) sometimes goes out and joins him. Cheeks has also grown quite a bit in the last few months. He is a very fun rabbit to have around because he is so unique. He loves to lay on his back with his front feet in the air. He also likes to flop onto his side and lay there with his head down. When he flops it's not like he slowly lays down, he's standing one second and the next he's completely on his side. He's great about being picked up and handled, he loves the attention. Another unique behavior of his, is that he likes to lick. Now, I've worked with many rabbits and I can tell you that Cheeks is not a usual guy, but we're very happy with his unique personality.