Services
Scales Nature Park offers exciting learning opportunities about reptiles, amphibians, and fish, and the habitats they need to survive. We do this through educational exhibits, regular and special event programming on-site, outreach programs, and lots more.
We also offer some additional services, including consulting in areas related to our expertise, animal wrangling for photographers, television, and film production, training and assistance for animal services enforcement staff, parks staff, and others.
For more details, see below!
On-site programs
Daily Programs
These take place in the classroom, or at another posted location if the classroom is occupied by a group booking.
“Meet the Creature” is a great opportunity to learn more about our animals, and experience them in a hands-on way! Unlike most facilities, this activity happens continuously throughout the day here at Scales Nature Park!
Once per day we offer a feature program that may be up to an hour in length. Typically, this will involve a presentation for about 20 to 30 minutes, and some hands-on interactive time for everyone.
Group Programs
We offer a wide array of programs for groups that visit Scales Nature Park. These programs are generally one hour long and are suitable for groups of up to 30 people. A list of these programs is below. Programs may be combined to create a full day of activities if desired. If you would like a specific program focus that is not on our list, just let us know and our staff would be happy to create a custom program for your group!
Possible programs
Indoor Outdoor
Reptiles of Ontario Guided Trail Walk
Reptiles of the World Terrific Trees
Amazing Amphibians Pond and Stream Studies
Snakes of Ontario Microhabitat Madness
Terrific Turtles of Ontario Wild Wetlands
Guest Speakers
Our staff may know a lot, but they can’t know it all, so whenever we get a chance we will offer presentations by guest speakers, including people involved in wildlife research and conservation projects. Check out our upcoming events page for more details!
Workshops and Courses
We offer half-day and full day workshops on various topics. These are great for anyone seeking more detailed information, and may count as professional development in some fields. We also offer multi-day courses for those employed (or seeking employment) in fields relating to reptile and amphibian conservation, animal services, municipal law enforcement, and more. These workshops and courses will appear on our Upcoming Events page, but we would also be happy to add extra dates if your group would like to participate at a different time.
Outreach Programs
Scales Nature Park is an offshoot of Sciensational Sssnakes!!, the program that started it all in 1994. Ever since, our highly acclaimed programs about native and exotic reptiles have been provided across Ontario to a wide variety of customers. If you would like to see the reptiles featured at Scales Nature Park in your venue (including your house!), contact Sciensational Sssnakes!! www.scisnake.com
We are also the home base for the Reptiles at Risk on the Road Project, which is a partnership between Scales Nature Park, Sciensational Sssnakes!!, Laurentian University, and the Canadian Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Network. Through external funding, this project presents regionally specific programs about reptiles across Canada at no charge, with a focus on areas where our rare reptiles are actually found. If you would like to learn more about this incredible project, have a look at www.reptilesatrisk.org
Television, Film, and Photography
With such a unique collection of live animals, there are plenty of opportunities for television and film productions, or photography sessions. Our staff have lots of experience in these areas, having worked with productions such as Zooboomafoo, Train 48, TVO Kids, Breakfast Television, and various nature photographers. Our wrangling services may take place at your location, or at ours. We can provide a variety of shooting locations, both indoors and outside, including forests, meadows, ponds, streams, and even underwater!
Wrangling rates may vary depending on the circumstances, but are generally $60 per hour at our site, or $90 per hour (with a two hour minimum) plus mileage at your site. If you need a lot of space or time, we also have a ‘warehouse’ facility on site that is available for short or long term rental. Please ask us for more details.
News and Interviews
We provide animals for news segments, and interviews about these creatures, upon request, and usually at no charge if we don’t have to travel. Our staff have been featured in news segments on CBC TV and radio, CTV, Global, and various other television and radio stations. We can help you get the footage you need, and you can always trust us for accurate information about these creatures!
Check out this article about the opening of our facility (Orillia Packet&Times)
Identify this…
People often ask us to identify what type of snake, turtle, etc. they have seen. Feel free to send us an email about this, but please try to include as much information as you can to help us help you! Some important things to tell us: where you saw it, how big it was (try to relate the size to something you know instead of guessing the length), what colour(s) you saw, and any patterning such as stripes, spots, or blotches. If possible, try to email us a picture of the animal- it really can be worth a thousand words when trying to identify some of these creatures! info@scalesnaturepark.ca
