Little Ray's Nature Centre
2781 colonial road K0A 3E0 Ottawa, ON, Canada

We too, are hiding from our Monday responsibilities... Adorable baby Orinoco croc at our Wildlife Rescue exhibit at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History cozying up to the side of his enclosure and some tall grass. Too cute!

Today's talk is about our Asian Ratsnakes! Join us and learn some cool facts about these beauties!

FULL CIRCLE - (POST 2 of 2) Remember Blade and Suede!?!?! - the critically endangered Orinoco crocodiles that Little Ray's was instrumental in rescuing. We are happy to report they are still happy and healthy at the Gladys Porter Zoo in Texas. We are even more excited to introduce you to their babies!!! You read that right - Blade and Suede have thrived in their forever home and are successfully breeding. A true miracle in conservation! ... Little Ray's is so proud to have come full circle and are pleased to introduce the babies in our Wildlife Rescue Exhibit, aptly named Miracles in Conservation, at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History in Ohio. We are extremely grateful to the Gladys Porter Zoo for this opportunity to share with our guests this amazing journey and more importantly for the incredible care Blade, Suede and their offspring receive from the zoo and the critically important work they are doing for these endangered species. Want to support Canada's largest exotic rescue? Donate today at https://littlerays.org/give-to-our-foundation. #littlerays #gladysporterzoo #orinococrocodile #clevelandmuseum #iucnredlist

ANNOUNCING LITTLE RAY'S HOLIDAY AUCTION 2020! This season, give something really special to the nature lovers in your life, or gift yourself! (You deserve it, right?) Bid now on exciting Little Ray's experiences. Exclusive animal encounters, behind-the-scenes zoo opportunities, fun events, and themed art and collectibles are all on the block, but just for a limited time! ... Winning bids will provide much-needed support for Little Ray’s Foundation for Animal Rescue and Education (F.A.R.E), which provides food, housing, and professional care for Canada’s largest exotic animal rescue. Start your bidding online at https://app.galabid.com/fare/items before your favourite items are going... going... **And be sure to share this post so that nobody misses out!**

Ever want to experience what it's like behind-the-scenes at Canada's largest exotic animal rescue? Put your bucket list on your wish list this gift-giving season, at Little Ray's HOLIDAY AUCTION 2020! We have two "A Day With Our Animal Care Team" packages available, with bids starting at $200. You, or your favourite animal lover, can spend a day hanging out at the zoo with our amazing team of keepers, while supporting our rescue and education work! You’ll see what it takes to... keep our Nature Centre hopping, while learning about all of the unique needs of our very special animals. At the end of your day, you’ll take home your Official Little Ray’s Animal Care Assistant Certificate proving you completed a hands-on day of exotic animal care! Visit https://app.galabid.com/fare/items today to bid on this, and many other exclusive gifts and experiences! But don't delay... this auction will be going... going... GONE on November 27! All proceeds from winning bids support Little Ray's Foundation for Animal Rescue and Education (F.A.R.E.)

FULL CIRCLE - (Post 1 of 2) When someone like Paul 'Little Ray' Goulet, who has lived an amazing life filled with unforgettable moments (he is a dad of triplets after all!!), says something is 'one of my greatest moments and smiles of all time'... you have to stop and take notice! That 'something' is the incredible rescue story of Blade and Suede: 2 Orinoco crocodiles that were rescued in 2012. Orinoco crocodiles are on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Natur...e) Red List as Critically Endangered. Their rescue story is one of collaboration, hope and Little Ray's unfailing commitment to conversation! Little Ray’s Nature Centre was instrumental in obtaining permits and arranging the transport of Blade and Suede from Canada to the Gladys Porter Zoo in Texas, where they are able to live outdoors and are now part of a breeding program that will help protect the genetic diversity in zoos and aquariums in North America. Take a moment and watch the rescue story below. And make sure to look at Post 2 of 2!!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch #LRNC #littlerays #gladysporterzoo #SPCA #orinococrocodile

Little Ray, meet BOB! We're proud to announce that we're going to be honoured at this year’s #OttBOBs. They recognize the most successful, innovative and socially conscious companies and business leaders in the nation's capital! We'd like to thank all our fans, colleagues, friends, family, who help us get through this challenging year. Awards are great, but your support is everything to us! Tune in to a special online awards broadcast, hosted by Ottawa Board and Ottawa B...usiness Journal on Wednesday, Nov. 25th at 8 pm, to see what all the 2020 recipients are being celebrated for. Visit http://bestottawabusiness.ca/ get complete broadcast information and to RSVP to the online after-party.

Is this thing on!? Now offering Zoo-Zoom: Live video conferences with our staff and animals from the safety and comfort of your own home. Whether it be just for fun, academic or professional, Zoo-Zooms are customized just for you! ... Visit littlerays.org/online-experience for more information on Zoo-Zoom and how to schedule yours today!

It was twenty years ago today... On November 4, 2000, Little Ray opened our first Reptile Zoo in Ottawa. Founders Paul "Little Ray" Goulet and Sheri Goulet had already been providing educational and fun wildlife encounters under the Little Ray's name since 1995, but today marks our 20th anniversary as a zoo and nature centre. Today, we have a presence all over North America! On Monday, we asked Little Ray's fans to send in some photographic memories. Thanks to ... @nauchetet, @dawnscans, @Josee Gilbert, @Taylor Seguin, @Erin McRae and others for sharing! And please support Little Ray's Foundation for Animal Rescue and Education (F.A.R.E.). Your generous donations will help us care for our animals for generations to come! Donate at https://littlerays.org/give-to-our-foundation and please share this post!

Looks what's happening in Allentown! Little Ray's is hosting our award-winning Under the Canopy at the Da Vinci Science Center.

Have a spider lover in your family? Looking for a cool gift that gives back? You can symbolically adopt a tarantula for yourself or someone special on your holiday gift list, one of 7 different animals available in our Adopt an Animal Program! Adopt now at https://littlerays.org/adopt-an-animal-program You'll get a certificate of adoption, as well as exclusive merch. Depending on the level of your pledge, you can also receive a plush animal, a meet-and-greet at the zoo, and even an honorary plaque at the zoo with a year's membership! All proceeds support Little Ray's Foundation for Animal Rescue and Education (F.A.R.E.), which funds our work at Canada's largest exotic animal rescue!

What do zookeepers do?! Come get a sneak peak while we do some enrichment for our crocodilians and primates!

LEMUR tell you about a great holiday gift idea... an exclusive experience with one of our ring tailed lemurs! Little Ray's Holiday Auction has two "Lounging with Lemurs" packages on the block! Bid on spending the ultimate afternoon with our ring tailed friends. Get to know all about the lemurs at Little Ray’s Nature Centre, and interact with them in their enclosure. Learn how to feed, handle, and communicate with these incredibly entertaining creatures. And finish your day w...ith an awesome photo op and some Little Ray's swag! Bid here: https://app.galabid.com/fare/items But HURRY! Auction ends on NOVEMBER 27!

MEET THE ANIMALS! VIP Tours are still available for small groups. Meet dozens of animals including sloths, owls, armadillos, pythons, frilled dragons and much more! This unique experience is fun, informative, and supports Canada's largest exotic animal rescue. Only 3 time slots available per day! Please contact us at [email protected] or by phone at 877-522-8440. Bookings are accepted on a first come first serve basis. Limits on group size are in place to ensure public health, animal welfare, and a great personalized experience. Our Nature Center has been Canada's largest exotic animal rescue for 25 years, proudly promoting animal welfare, public education, and wildlife conservation through positive, fun, educational services like this one. We look forward to helping you meet and learn about our ambassador animals.

Lee educating us all on 2 of the 3 boa constrictors that were abandoned on our doorstop. They are now in our care and doing very well!

Happy #WildlifeWednesday! Here's an eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus) to cute up your timeline! The name chipmunk, in English, is taken from the Ojibwa word "ajidamoo" which means "descends trees headfirst."... Now that the cold weather is here, these little critters will survive on nuts and seeds that they stored underground. They occasionally enter a deep sleep state called "torpor," but they do not hibernate. When's the last time you saw a chippie out gathering? When do you usually see them in the spring?

Starting your holiday shopping? If you have nature-lovers on your list, you can give them a gift that keeps on... being wild! Little Ray's Adopt-an-Animal Program is a great way to help provide our animals with food, shelter, and veterinary care. Adoption packages of $100+ include a plush animal that you can "rehome" with the naturalists among your friends and family! Visit https://littlerays.org/adopt-an-animal-program for full details and to adopt today!

Meet Lady @littlerays Nature Centre!! Lady is one of the many reptile rescues Little Ray has taken in over the years and has become quite used to humans (no -... not on her menu!) Here I am with a very experienced handler (@leeparker0318 is all the way from #southafrica !) - he and his amazing wife @natalee.parker have taught me SO much and are often, literally, my right hand in working with all of these reptile species. #alligators #shesalady #toothbrush #brushyourteeth #cisforcookie #jawsmovie @adamsandler #waterboymovie #reptilesofinstagram #reptiles #rescue #reptilerescue #vet #vetlife #wildlifeveterinarian #exoticsveterinarian #ilovemyjob See more

Little Ray's is in Pennsylvania! Our award-winning exhibit, Under the Canopy: Animals of the Rainforest, has just launched at the Da Vinci Science Center in Allentown, PA! This fun and educational experience takes visitors to the heart of rainforest. Visitors will meet some of the exotic animals that live in the world's jungles, and learn all about the mysteries and science of these valuable environments.... If you're in Allentown, or visiting from nearby, you can get your tickets here: https://www.davincisciencecenter.org/under-the-canopy-anim/

We are bubbling with excitement over our Radical Science by Little Ray's outreach programs! This explosive and interactive experience is sure to make any birthday party, educational initiative and small event or celebration a safe and memorable one. Radical Science ensures optimal health measures before interacting with you and your guests. All participants receive their own pre packaged science kit and presenters wear protective gear during the entire program. All hands-on i...tems are sanitized prior to the event and we will provide it as needed throughout. Learn more at radicalscience.ca or call us at 613-692-1980. Be sure to share this post with any friends, families and party planners you think would be interested in Radical Science by Little Rays!

Come meet Checkers the corn snake!

WE WON AGAIN! In a time where many people in the museum, science centre, zoo and aquarium industries have been dealing with the stresses and uncertainty caused by the global pandemic Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums, CAZA, held it’s AGM and awards banquet yesterday afternoon virtually. For the second year in a row Little Ray’s Nature Centre was blessed by winning the Baines award for outstanding achievement in exhibit design and development. We were completely honoured...Continue reading

Something NEW at the ZOO! Introducing Little Ray's Adopt-an-Animal Program, a great way to help provide our animals with food, shelter, and veterinary care. When you become a supporter of one of our animal friends, we'll show our thanks through a number of perks, including swag and exclusive animal encounter opportunities! Adoption packages of $100+ include a plush animal that you can "rehome" with your favourite animal lovers! Visit https://littlerays.org/adopt-an-animal-program for full details and to adopt today!

Happy #ThankfulThursday! This week's wild shout-out goes to Julie Bertrand, from Ottawa, who stepped up to support Little Ray's Foundation for Animal Rescue and Education (F.A.R.E.)! Julie's donations to F.A.R.E. will go directly towards the care and feeding of our animal friends, including many #rescueanimals. ... You can help too ! Please visit our new giving page at https://littlerays.org/give-to-our-foundation to donate now, and to learn all the ways you can help.

We have the MOST exciting news for you all! We are happy to announce the official opening of our newest exhibit, Nature’s Ninjas at the Museum of Science and Technology (the MOST), located in Syracuse, NY. Come on in and meet some of our feature animals including Spaulding, the Brazilian 3 banded armadillo, Quilbur, the North American porcupine, Bowser the African spurred tortoise and so many more! We are open Wednesday - Sunday, 10AM-5PM with animal shows at 11, 1 and 3. Please check us out on Facebook and at the MOST’s https://www.most.org website for more information. Face masks required and tickets can be purchased at the door. We can’t wait to see you all soon!!

Come hear answers to common questions we often get about animals and our facility!

Celebrating TWO DECADES of wild experiences at Little Ray's! Wednesday, November 4, 2020, will mark 20 years since we opened the first "Little Ray's Reptile Zoo..." in Ottawa. Much has changed, but not Little Ray's commitment to our animals, our environment, and our exciting and educational animal encounters! We'd love to celebrate the day by sharing your photos of memories at Little Ray's: Zoo visits, birthday parties, special exhibitions, and more! Please DM us your favourite photo of a Little Ray's experience, along with a note telling us where and when it was taken, who is in it, and your consent as the photographer to share it here and on our other social media!

Happy Halloween everyone!!! The Dino was first very interested in the pigs, but settled for a veggie cake instead when Kevin Bacon & John Ham didn't seem phased by his presence

Happy Halloween to all! Who’s scarier than this (Gila) monster?! A lot of animals actually... Gila monster lizards deliver an extremely venomous injection with their incredibly powerful (and painful) bite, but only in small amountsmaking their defensive bites non-deadly to healthy, human adults. In fact, researchers found and sourced diabetes medicine from Gila monster saliva, as doctors discovered a hormone in their venom that stimulates insulin production.