To the left of Dr. Mengel and the Earth – A Timeless Tale Gallery is a room devoted to modern environments. This section explores the flora, fauna, and ecology of Berks County. Many exhibits are hands-on.

A wide variety of bird and animal specimens, from the collections here at the Reading Public Museum, are in natural settings. Some information is given and much more is available in the books on the rail.

Visitors are encouraged to touch and feel bird feet, snake and frog models and animal furs.

There are microscopes with interesting items displayed and an interactive computer program is provided.

Berks County- Right in your own Backyard

The area defined as Berks County includes over 864 square miles of natural and man-made features that provide ecological habitats for many types of organisms (plants and animals). The rolling hills, rich soil, temperate climate, and geology are what originally shaped Berks County. However, today's natural areas are as much a product of human intervention as they are natural formations.

SOILS
Soil is the layer of weathered material lying on the surface of earth just above bedrock. It is composed of minerals and organic material that help support plant life. The soil is the product of years of growth and decay of plants and other organisms that have combined with physically and chemically altered rocks and minerals.

Soil Formation and Profile
As soils develop, they form distinct layers scientists call horizons. These horizons may vary from a few inches to several feet deep. Each horizon is physically and chemically different from the other. Some layers have a lot of organic material whereas other layers may have more sediments. A cross section of soil viewed from the top down to the parent layer is called a profile. Scientists label these profiles or layers as A, B, & C.

The upper layer of the profile (horizon A) usually contains more organic material and is usually darker. The layer immediately below A is called the zone of accumulation. Minerals that have passed through horizon A settle in horizon B.
Horizon A and B are commonly called the Solum and together are actually the soil. Horizon C is a transitional zone between the parent rock (bedrock) and the soil.

Soil Composition and Types--Seventh Approximation System
Soil scientists in the United States identify soils using this new system. The system describes soils in terms of surface and subsurface horizons, and recognizes ten major soil types: alfisols, aridisols, entisols, histosols, inceptisols, mollisols, oxisols, spodisols, ultisols, and vertisols. These groups are also subdivided when more specific detail is required.

Soil in Berks County - Information on soil patterns is taken directly from the County study.
Soil patterns in Berks County are strongly influenced by the bedrock, topography, and moisture conditions. Scientists recognize eleven soil associations within the county. A soil association consists of one or more major soil types (series) and at least one minor soil series occurring in a distinctive landscape pattern.

The Edggmont-Dekalb association occurs on Blue Mountain and consists of deep and moderately deep, well-drained soils forming in quartz conglomerate and sandstone. The Laidig-Buchanan-Andover association occur in the Appalachian Mountain section. It consists of deep soils developing in colluviuni on the lower slopes of Blue Mountain.

The Berks-Weikert-Bedington association extends across the northern portion of the Great Valley. Here, shallow to deep, well-drained, rolling soils form in shale in siltstone. The Ryder-Fogelsville and Duffield-Washington associations develop in the southern part of the Great Valley. The former consists of moderately deep and deep, well drained, silty soils derived from cement rock. The latter limestone-based soils are deep and well-drained.

A narrow band of the Murrill association, deep, well-drained soils, develops in colluviulli on the foot slopes of South Mountain.

The Chester-Glenville-Brandywine association characterizes the Reading Prong. These deep and moderately deep, well-drained and moderately well-drained, rolling to hilly soils form in granitic, gneiss and assorted igneous and metamorphic rocks comprising the Reading Hills and South Mountain.

The Triassic Lowland has four soil associations. The Penn-Reaville-Croton association forms in red shale and soft sandstone and has moderately deep and deep, well-drained to poorly drained soils. The Lewisbeffy-Penn association consists of deep and moderately deep, well drained, rolling to hilly soils derived from red sandstone, conglomerate, and shale.

Deep, well drained soils of the Neshaminv-Brecknock association characterize diabase ridges. The Athol association forms in calcareous conglomerate and consists of deep, well-drained, reddish soils that are undulating or rolling.

FORESTS
Several factors influence the vegetation that develops in certain areas. They include geology, climate, topography, soil and, humans. The forests that exist in Berks County today have only a slight resemblance to the original forests of the past. This is attributed to many causes but the greatest factor has been the acquisition of natural habitats by humans for agricultural and economic development.

The original forest found in Berks County was the Oak-Chestnut forest. Today, the mixed Oak Forest has replaced it. However, many species that were part of the Oak-Chestnut community are still abundant in the Blue Mountain area. Other species of oaks, red maple, sassafras, black gum, and hickories still make up some of the minor trees species in this area. Shrubs include huckleberries, blueberries, and mountain laurel. Many grasses line the forest floor.

On the lower edges of the Blue Mountain are oak, tulip poplar, black birch, maple, beech and hickory. Many types of viburnums are found in the understory.

WATER - OUR MOST ESSENTIAL NATURAL RESOURCE
Powered by the sun, all water on earth is endlessly recycled by a natural system called the hydrologic or water cycle. On a global scale, water moves from the earth's surface into the atmosphere through evaporation and transpiration, condenses into clouds and is returned to the earth through precipitation.

Pennsylvania has a large network of natural rivers, streams and lakes, including many man made lakes and ponds. Within this network are six major watersheds (areas of land drained by rivers and streams) and all but Lake Erie are named after the rivers that drain them (drainage basins). They include the Genesee, Ohio, Susquehanna, Lake Erie, Delaware, and Potomac river basins.

The springs, small streams and creeks within Berks County flow into rivers that eventually drain into the Atlantic Ocean. The Schuylkill River is the only river that travels through Berks County, and it collects most of the runoff water. Since the Schuylkill drains into the Delaware River at Philadelphia, most of Berks County is part of the Delaware watershed. Some western Berks' streams eventually reach the Susquehanna River, part of the Susquehanna watershed. A small portion of the eastern Berks County streams flow to the Lehigh River and then to the Delaware River.

There are two large lakes within the county: Lake Ontelaunee and Blue Marsh Lake. Both are man made and serve as resources for drinking water, recreation, flood control and wildlife habitats.

Wetlands are areas of land covered by fresh water throughout part or all of the year. They are generally found in poorly drained areas where the water table is close to the surface. Wetlands are characterized by plants that thrive in wet soil. In the natural progression from ponds or lakes to forests, scientists broadly categorize wetlands as marshes, swamps, or bogs.

Marshes are emergent wetlands dominated by erect, rooted plants such as cattails, bullrushes, and arrowheads. They have regularly flowing inlets and outlets and shallow open water areas. Water lilies, submerged aquatic plants, pickerel weeds, and mats of decomposing plants thrive in the open areas. Unlike swamps, marshes do not have woody shrubs and trees.

The variety of wildlife in and near marshes includes crustaceans, frogs, snakes, salamanders, insects and nesting waterfowl. The sheltered water provides spawning ground and food for large numbers of coolwater fish such as pike, muskellunge and pickerel.

Swamps are wetlands that contain woody plants (trees and shrubs) as well as herbaceous marsh plants such as the cattails and bullrushes. Swamps are found near streams, springs, or flood basins, and have distinct inlets and outlets.

Skunk cabbage is an important ground cover, along with marsh marigolds, jewelweed, cardinal flowers and purple-fringed orchids. Shrubs include sweet pepperbush, spice bush and swamp azaleas. In addition to marsh animals, swamps are home to raccoons, beavers and wood ducks.

Bogs are the last stages of succession from pond or lake to forest. They have no regularly flowing inlet or outlet and the water is generally acidic from undecomposed plant life (peat). Bogs are dominated by moss type plants, but this unique environment also supports rare carnivorous aquatic plants such as the Sundew and Venus fly trap.

FUR, FEATHERS, BONES, AND BUGS
Please note: Not all these organisms will be on display at one time. They will change from time to time to allow more specimens to be exhibited.

Arthropods
There are more varieties of arthropods than any other animal phylum. Arthropod means jointed foot. Common characteristics include external skeletons (exoskeleton) of chitin and jointed, usually paired, appendages (legs.) They are coldblooded but have highly developed internal systems.

Arachnids are arthropods with four pair of appendages, but no antennae. They have two body segments; head-thorax and abdomen. They have sucking mouth parts and a variety of claws, fangs, stingers and poison glands to subdue prey. The spiders, ticks and scorpions of this family are not favorites of many people.

Insects have been on earth approximately 300 million years and live everywhere. Approximately 90% of all arthropods and nearly 80% of all the world's living species are insects. Over a million species have been identified with many still to discover.

Insects undergo either complete or incomplete metamorphosis. Complete metamorphosis includes very different stages of egg, larvae, pupa and adult. Incomplete metamorphosis hatches a nymph resembling the adult. As it grows, the nymph sheds its exoskeleton several times, with each new stage becoming more like the adult insect.

All insects have three pair of legs and a body divided into three segments: the head, thorax, and abdomen. They have an exoskeleton, one pair of segmented antennae and compound eyes. Nearly all insects have wings.The suffix 'ptera means wings and is used in naming insect orders.

Coleoptera are beetles. Hard or leathery front wings usually cover folded rear wings. Beetles undergo complete metamorphosis. They are so successful that one third of all animal species are beetles.

Lepidoptera are moths and butterflies. They have two pair of large, soft-scaled wings and large antennae. They undergo complete metamorphosis.

Orthoptera are grasshoppers, crickets, walking sticks, mantids and cockroaches. Winged orthoptera usually have four long, narrow, multi- veined wings. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis.

Diptera are flies and mosquitoes with two lacy wings, sucking mouth parts. They undergo complete metamorphosis.

Hymenoptera are the bees, wasps and ants. They usually have two pairs of membranous wings, held together by hooks, but some species have specialized members with no wings. They have sucking mouth parts and undergo complete metamorphosis. Female diptera have ovipositors (egg depositors) modified into a stinger or piercer.

Odonata are dragonflys and damselflys, named for their tooth-like biting mouth parts. They have two pair of large, non-flexible, membranous wings, and large compound eyes.

Berks County Amphibians
Not all are in exhibits at any given time.

The Jefferson Salamander, Ambystoma jeffersonianum, is the only giant salamander in Berks County. It prefers damp deciduous forest land near a swamp or pond. In early spring, the female lays eggs on underwater plants. The eggs hatch in 30 to 45 days after fertilization. The larvae become adults in late summer.

The Spotted Salamander, Ambystoma maculatum, is a mole salamander that lives underground on wooded hillsides near ponds. Females attach about 100 eggs to submerged vegetation each spring. The eggs hatch in one to two months. After transformation, they move onto land. These salamanders return to water their second adult spring, and begin a new cycle of life.

The Marbled Salamander, Ambystoma maculatum, makes its home anywhere from swamps to dry hillsides. In early fall, the female curls around 50 to 100 fertilized eggs in a sheltered depression. If it rains, the eggs hatch in just a few days. If not, they hatch during the following spring. Marbled Salamanders mature in four to six months.

The Red-spotted Newt, Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens, has three life stages. The female lays 200 to 400 eggs and greenish-yellow larvae (first stage) emerge four to eight weeks after the eggs are fertilized. In two to three months the larvae change into the red eft (second stage) which moves to land. In one to three years, the body becomes a smooth olive with red spots and the tail changes into a vertical fin. This Red-spotted Newt (third stage) returns to the water, reproduces and completes its life cycle.

The Northern Dusky Salamander, Desmognathus fuscus fuscus, lives, hibernates, and lays eggs on the rocky banks of woodland streams. For six to thirteen weeks, the female guards three to six dozen eggs. The young move into water for six to thirteen months before becoming adults.

The Northern Two-lined Salamander, Eurycea bislineata bislineata, is found in streams with rocky bottoms, swampy wetlands, and flood plains. About 30 sticky eggs are laid in April. The eggs adhere to rocks or sticks until hatching in late spring. Maturity takes one to three years. The Longtailed Salamander, Eurycea longicauda, is found in caves, abandoned mine tunnels, or near small streams. Adults forage after a heavy rain. Eggs hatch in or near the water in six to eight weeks. It takes up to two years for this salamander to become an adult.

The Northern Spring Salamander, Gyrinophilus porphyriticus, is the largest lungless salamander found in Berks County. It lives near springs, in mountain trout streams, or wet caves. Eggs are placed, one at a time, on the underside of stones in a stream bed. They hatch from April to July, and become adults in two to three years.

The Four Toed Salamander, Hemidactylium scutatum, has only four toes on its hind feet. Starting in the spring, the female lays 50 eggs and guards them for eight to nine weeks until they hatch. Transformation requires another six to eight weeks in water. Maturity comes after about two and a half years on land.

The terrestrial Redback Salamander, Plethodon cinereus, lives in cavities under rocks and emerges only after rain. The female lays eggs alternate years, in June or July. The mother hangs six to ten eggs in a cluster from the ceiling of a cavity. She protects her young about two monthsand they mature in two years.

The Slimy Salamander, Plethodon cinereus, secretes a thick, sticky substance from its shiny, black skin. It lives in steep woody slopes, usually beneath a rock. The female deposits 10 to 40 eggs underground each spring and protects them until they hatch in late summer. Slimy salamanders have no larval stage.

The Northern Red Salamander, Pseudotriton ruber, nests in sandy stream bottoms and roams on land in search of its favorite food--earthworms. In early fall,the female attaches 50 to 70 eggs under a submerged rock. The larvae are dark gray and take two to three years to turn red. Maturity takes up to five years.

The Eastern American Toad, Bufo americanus, also called the hop toad, is found in many moist environments. It breeds in shallow water where the female deposits long curly strings of up to 4,000 eggs. The eggs hatch in about three days. Tadpoles transform in seven to eight weeks but maturity takes two to three years.

Fowler's Toad, Bufo woodhousii fowleri, lives in sandy soil near water. It hibernates early and emerges late. From March to mid-August the female lays strings of eggs that are caught in underwater vegetation. Incubation takes only a week and the tadpoles change to adults and move to land by midsummer.

The Northern Cricket Frog, Acris crepitans, spends most of its time feeding near the edges of streams and ponds. Late in the summer, the female deposits two to ten eggs in the water. Tadpoles may be found as late as August, but they are adults by September.

The Northern Spring Peeper Frog, Hyla crucifer crucifer, lives near any clean water. They hibernate under logs or loose bark. The peeper is heard more often than seen, as it signals spring's arrival. After a warm spring rain, the female deposits about a thousand eggs in the water. Tadpoles emerge in six to twelve days and become frogs in 90 to 100 days.

The Eastern Gray Tree Frog, Hyla versicolor versicolor, spends its days in or on trees, clinging with its large sticky toe pads. From April to August, the female deposits about 100 floating masses of 40 eggs each in the water. The eggs hatch in a few days. In six to eight weeks tiny young frogs move to trees.

The Bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana, is recognized by it large size and "jug of rum" call. It lives in the water where it consumes crayfish, snakes, small fish, turtles, and insects. The bullfrog is solitary, except when it breeds. In July, the female lays about 40,000 eggs. The eggs hatch in a few days, but it takes two to three years for the tadpole to become an adult.

The Northern Green Frog, Rana clamitans melanota, is aquatic and solitary. It sheds its skin about four times a year. Males call from early spring until August. The female lays about 4000 eggs in three or four clutches. The eggs hatch in a few days and become frogs the next spring.

The Pickerel Frog, Rana palustris, lives in marshes or grassy fields. Two rows of squarish spots on its back distinguish it from the leopard frog. In April, the female deposits masses of two to three thousand eggs. The eggs adhere to standing stems for a few days before hatching. The tadpoles become frogs in July or August.

Northern Leopard Frogs, Rana pipiens, live in moist, heavily vegetated areas and feed in the cool evenings. Both the male and female call for a mate. Each spring the female lays five to six thousand eggs which form round, floating masses. Tadpoles emerge in about four days and become frogs in July or August.

The Wood Frog, Rana sylvatica, lives in moist forests and uses water only for breeding. It eats insects and hibernates on the forest floor. In early spring, the female lays two to three thousand eggs in warm, shallow water. The egg masses hatch in a month. Tadpoles become frogs in about two months.

Berks County Reptiles
Not all are in exhibits at any given time.

The Common Snapping Turtle, Chelydra serpentina serpentinia, (Loggerhead) lives in fresh water. It eats water plants, carrion, and small animals. This turtle hisses and snaps if disturbed. In June, the female lays a clutch of 25 to 50 eggs , some distance from the water. Tiny one inch turtles hatch in nine to sixteen weeks.

The Stinkpot Turtle, Sternotherus odoratus, climbs fallen tree trunks to bask in the sun. It searches for food on the muddy bottom of shallow, slow-moving water. This musk turtle secretes a foul smelling liquid when disturbed. The female lays one to nine eggs that hatch in nine to twelve weeks.

The Midland Painted Turtle, Chrysemys picta martinata, prefers slow-moving water. The young eat insects, crayfish and mollusks and add aquatic plants to their diet as they grow older. Males mature in two to five years, the female in four to eight. The female lays two to twenty eggs each summer that hatch in 10 to 12 weeks.

The Spotted Turtle, Clemmys guttata, lives in marshes, bogs and other wetlands. It hibernates in the mud or a muskrat hole. In late June, the female lays three to five eggs in a flask-shaped nest. The eggs hatch in August or September.

The Wood or "sculptured" Turtle, Clemmys insculpta, lives on land but hibernates in water during the winter. It eats a variety of foods including wild strawberries and low bush blueberries. One clutch of four to twelve eggs is laid in May or June and hatch during the fall.

The Bog (Muhlenberg)Turtle, Clemmys muhlenbergii, eats slugs, tadpoles, insects and worms. The female lays one to six eggs in a shallow cavity each June. The eggs hatch in six to nine weeks. Turtles mature in five to seven years. Capture for pet store sales and drainage of wetlands have severely reduced their numbers.

The Map Turtle, Graptemys geographica, eats mollusks, crayfish and some plants. Their powerful jaws can crush clams and large snails. This Lake Erie native may have migrated here through canals. The female lays two or more clutches of about a dozen eggs in May to mid-July. The eggs hatch in late summer.

The familiar Eastern Box Turtle, Terrapene carolina carolina, is found in wet meadows or floodplains. It feeds on fruits, berries, invertebrates and carrion. The female places three to eight eggs in a deep cavity each summer. These turtles take five to seven years to mature.

The Northern Fence Lizard, Sceloporus undulatus hyacinthinus, hunts, feeds, and takes refuge in trees. It eats insects, spiders and snails. They like to bask in the sun on old tree stumps or fences. Females lay one clutch of three to thirteen eggs the first year, with two to four clutches in later years. The eggs hatch from June to September.

The Five-lined Skink, Eumeces fasciatus, is the only skink found in Berks County. Decaying vegetation provides a diet of worms, insect larvae, spiders, crustaceans, and small mice. In spring the female deposits four to fifteen eggs in damp earth. She guards the nest until they hatch in July to September.

The Eastern Worm Snake, Carphophis amoenus amoenus, eats worms and soft bodied insects. It takes shelter under rocks or logs on grassy or wooded hillsides. The female deposits up to eight eggs in June or July. The eggs hatch in seven weeks and the young mature in three years.

The Northern Black Racer Snake, Coluber constrictor constrictor, or "Blacksnake", is not poisonous, but will bite repeatedly if threatened. It eats insects, small mammals, birds, eggs, amphibians, and reptiles. The female deposits five to thirty eggs in a decayed stump, sawdust pile, or abandoned tunnel. The eggs hatch in six to nine weeks.

The Northern Ringneck Snake, Diadophis punctatus edwardsii, is found on wooded rocky hillsides. It eats worms, salamanders, slugs and lizards. It partially constricts its prey before swallowing. The female lays two to four eggs in June or July. The eggs hatch in eight weeks and the young snakes mature in two to three years.

The Black Rat Snake, Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta, feeds on small animals and eggs. It deposits five to thirty eggs in piles of litter or under a large rock. A moist gluey covering hardens and glues them together. Young snakes ten to sixteen inches long emerge in seven to fifteen weeks. Adult snakes can grow to be 100 inches long.

The Eastern Hognose Snake, Heterodon platyrhinos, is named for its upturned snout. It lives in dry, open areas with sandy or loose soil. Adults eat frogs and toads. Young eat crickets and other insects. Females lay up to 60 eggs in June or July which hatch in 40 to 60 days.

The Eastern Milk Snake, Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum, eats mice and other small rodents. The female lays about 25 eggs in June or July. The eggs hatch in six to nine weeks. The five to eleven inch babies have brighter colors and sharper patterns than adults.

The Northern Water Snake, Nerodia sipedon sipedon, eats salamanders, crayfish or minnows. If disturbed it will bite but it is not poisonous. About 25 young are "born" in August to October. Many become food for fish.

The Eastern Smooth Green Grass Snake, Opheodrys vernalis vernalis, lives on the ground and is well camouflaged in any grassy environment. It consumes numerous insects. In July or August, about 10 eggs are deposited under a sun warmed rock and hatch in four to 23 days. Several females may nest together.

The beautiful Queen (willow) Snake, Regina septemvittata, is a water snake and swims along the water's surface looking for crayfish, its primary food. It gives live birth to 20 or fewer young in late summer.

The Northern Brown Snake, Storeria dekayi dekayi, is also known as "Dekay's" snake, after an early New York zoologist. It takes refuge under logs, rocks or trash piles, eating worms, slugs and snails. It gives "birth" to about 30 young each summer.

The Northern Redbelly Snake, Storia occipitomaculata occipitomaculata, is sometimes found hiding in debris or lumber, but its natural habitat is dense mountain forests. It eats slugs and worms. Young are born in summer and take two years to mature.

The Ribbon Snake, Thamnophis sauritus, is found near shallow water, basking in the sun from overhanging branches. It drops swiftly into the water when threatened. It eats frogs, salamanders and small fish. A litter of three to 25 is born in late summer.

The Eastern Garter Snake, Thamnopnis sirtalis sirtalis, lives on earthworms during its first year and adds larger prey as it grows older. It frequents parks, farms and campgrounds. Garter snakes produce 7 to 85 young from late June to August. The young remain near the den but many do not survive the two years to maturity.

The Smooth Earth Snake, Virginia valeriae, eats larvae, earthworms, and soft-bodied insects. It is found underground or under sun-warmed rocks in abandoned fields, and on moist deciduous forest floors. It emerges after heavy rain. Two to fourteen young are born in August or September.

The poisonous Northern Copperhead, Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen, is found in rocky outcrops, stone walls, rock piles, or rotting tree stumps. Young snakes eat insects but older snakes eat larger prey. Up to 14 young are born in late summer. Copperheads require two to three years to mature.

The Timber Rattlesnake, Crotalus horridus, eats squirrels, rabbits, chipmunks and birds. After age five or six, females breed every two to three years. Ten to 15 young are born the summer after breeding. The interval is necessary to store food, since she consumes only rainwater during gestation. She may live 30 to 50 years.

Berks County Birds
Not all are in exhibits at any given time.

Wood Duck, Aix sponsa, feed on small wetland animals and plants. They nest in early spring, usually in a tree cavity over water. The female lays 8 to 15 eggs in a woodchip and down nest. The male joins an all male flock before the eggs hatch. Chicks leap to the water the day after hatching and fly in six weeks.

The Ruffed Grouse, Bonasa umbellus, has been Pennsylvania's State Bird since 1931. Low fruiting vegetation supplies shelter and food (insects, buds, wild fruits and berries). Grouse fly poorly. They roost in trees but spend winter nights beneath the snow. Six to sixteen independent young hatch from eggs after about 24 days of incubation.

The Wild Turkey, Maleagis gallopavo, flies, swims, and runs well. It roosts in trees and rises early to feed on insects, larvae, and plants. Tom (male) turkeys are solitary except for breeding. Hens lay about 12 eggs in a hidden nest. When the eggs hatch (in 28 days), several families may feed and roost together.

The Great Blue Heron, Ardea Herodias, feeds in wetlands, on rodents, crayfish, fish and amphibians. The male brings materials to a remote tree where the female builds a platform nest of large sticks lined with twigs and leaves. The Heron's 3 to 6 eggs hatch in 28 days. Hatchlings are fed for 3 weeks.

The Green Heron, Butorides virescens, arrives in Berks County around April or May and nests near wetlands. They feed on fish, worms, amphibians and insects. The male selects the site and begins the nest. The female completes construction, lays two clutches of 4 to 6 eggs, and incubates them for 20 days.

The elusive American Bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus, lives in marshes. It feeds at dusk, on mice, insects, amphibians and snakes. Bitterns build solitary nests on dry spots in cattails or bulrushes and both parents care for the 3 to 7 eggs and hatchlings. They pass through Berks County in April or early May.

Barn Owls, Strigiformes tytonidae, hunt open fields at night, silently dropping and quickly consuming small animals. Pellets of indigestible matter are regurgitated in about seven hours. Owl eggs incubate for 33 days. Both parents feed 3 to 11 hatchlings for 9 to 12 weeks until flight feathers give young owls independence.

The Cedar Waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum, is seen year round but sometimes leaves an area for months. It feeds on berries and insects. Nests are built late, in old orchards or shade trees, with some fledglings still in the nest in September. Migrants swell their numbers in September and February, depending on available fruit.

Migrating Wood Thrushes, Hylocichla mustelina, arrive in late April and build nests low in deciduous trees. Broods are threatened by egg eating grackles, and compete with cow birds for food. Thrushes eat insects, worms, berries and fruit. Fall migration in September and October takes them to Panama for the winter.

Although some Turkey Vultures, Cathartes aura, are now permanent residents, numbers increase with migrants in spring and autumn. They are carrion eaters, and are provided with year round food from roadkill. Nests are well hidden, usually in high places, and are rarely found.

House Sparrows, Passer domesticus, are immigrants from England that thrive here -- in cities, villages and on farms. they eat insects and seeds, and produce five to seven eggs each year. Nests are usually found close to human habitation, and they are frequent visitors to bird feeders.

The American Goldfinch, Carduelis tristis, can be found along roadsides, and in open woods. They are seed eaters, especially thistles and dandelions, which supply down to line their nests. They nest from late May through September with the three to five hatchlings frequently sharing the nest with cowbirds.

The House Finch, Carpodacus mexicanus, is native to the far west, and was introduced to Long Island in 1940. Many were released from pet stores when they were found to be illegally caged. They eat insects, seeds and small fruits and are found near human habitations in cities, suburbs and farms.

The Northern Oriole, Icterus galbula, arrives in May and hangs its nest from the branch of a suburban or farm shade tree. It feeds a brood of three to five hatchlings on insects, seeds and small fruit. In August some are already leaving for their winter homes in tropical America.
The Brown-headed Cowbird, Molothrus ater, is a brood parasite, laying its eggs in other, smaller birds' nests. As Cowbird numbers increase, the population of flycatchers, warblers, thrushes and finches decreases. It eats insects, seeds, small fruit and aquatic life. Cowbirds were migrants, but many are now year-round residents.

The Great Horned Owl, Bubo virginianus, is found in varied habitats throughout North and South America. It nests here about February first, and nurtures its young for several months. Regurgitated pellets identify most of their food as rats, opossums and rabbits.

The Pileated Woodpecker, Dryocopus pileatus, is rarely seen and was once thought eliminated in Berks County. Its chisel-like bill and long, barbed, pointed tongue reach deep into trees for wood-boring insects. High in an old tree it chisels a new cavity each year to nest. The young are fed predigested food.

Our National Bird, the Bald Eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, was near extinction in the 1970s but has recovered. It eats mostly fish. Eagles mate for life and use the same high secluded nest every year. Females lay one or two eggs each year, and both parents provide constant care for several months.

The Passenger Pigeon, Ectopistes migratorius, once flew in huge flocks from Cuba to Canada. Some nested here and millions migrated through Berks each year, stopping to feed and roost. They ate seeds, fruit and insects and raised one to three young each year. These birds were food for thousands of human immigrants before joining the Prairie Chicken in extinction a century ago.

The woodpecker,Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus varius, is a migrant that sometimes stays for the winter. Most are seen here from late March to May and again in September and October.

The Fish Crow, Coevus ossifragus, was a common migrant but now regularly nests along local streams. Although crows will feed on almost anything, this one seems to prefer aquatic sources. Its numbers are greatest in April and September, when they mix with other migrating crows.

Pennsylvania and Berks County Mammals
Not all are in exhibits at any given time.

The Red Squirrel, Sciurus hudsonicus loquax, is smaller and more territorial than other squirrels and nests in conifer trees. It eats immature cones and stores its food in large caches rather than singly, as other squirrels do. Three to six young are born in April.

Eastern Ground Moles, Scalopus aquaticus aquaticus, are mouse size mammals that tunnel underground to feed on grubs and other insect larvae. They are rarely seen but evidence of their activities is frequently a problem in lawns and gardens.

The Star-nose Mole is one of nature's jokes. The purpose of the protusions that form a star around its mouth is poorly understood, but they are sensory.

The Beaver, Castor canadensis, is North America's largest rodent. It is best known for constructing dams. Beavers have a large flat tail and webbed feet which make them excellent swimmers. Beavers eat a variety of vegetation including mushrooms, ferns, grasses, and cattails. Family colonies of 5 to 11 Beavers live in a domed lodge with an underwater entrance.

The Cottontail Rabbit, Sylvilagus floridanus, lives wherever there is food and cover. They have become more nocturnal since sharing territory with humans. Rabbits eat any tender vegetation, from tree bark to Mr. McGregors' garden. Four litters of 2 to 9 young are possible each summer. Rabbits are independent when 16 days old.

Raccoons, Procyon lotor, are recognized by a masked face and ringed tail. They are omnivores, which means they like a variety of foods, just like people. Raccoons are good climbers. They spend their days in trees and hunt at night. Raccoons are active all winter. They have 3 to 5 young in early spring.

The Striped Skunk, Mephitis mephitis, can shoot musk about 12 feet, and fears few predators. They are nocturnal omnivores, active year round. Skunks live alone, in burrows or woodchuck holes, mate in February and the female bears 2-6 young in April. She cares for them about 8 weeks, then they are independent.

The Virginia White-tail Deer, Odocoileus virginianus, found in Berks County can jump a nine- foot fence and run at 40 mph in short bursts. Deer feed on tender brush and herbs. Fawns (babies) have white spots that blend with sun and shade. The males (bucks) are solitary and they grow and shed larger antlers every year.

The Woodchuck, Rodentia sciuridae, or groundhog is the largest member of the squirrel family. It has powerful legs and claws to dig burrows. Woodchuck tunnels give shelter to other animals such as rabbits and opossums. The woodchuck eats plants and insects. The three or four young born in spring are independent in one month.

The Red Fox, Canidae vulpes fulva, has a sharp sense of sight, smell and hearing. This carnivore will eat anything it can find or catch, from mice to road kill. Fox parents care for about 6 young in a den. The family disbands after 2 to 3 months.

The common, bushy-tailed Gray Squirrel, Scurus carolinensis leucotis, is speedy and agile. It eats nuts, berries, buds, seeds and fruits. Early each spring 4 to 5 young are born in a leafy nest high in a tree. They are weaned in 6 weeks. The parents may raise a second litter before fall.

The Opossum, Didelphis virginiana (previously D. marsupialis virginiana), North America's only marsupial, is an ancient mammal. Opossums are solitary, omnivorous and nocturnal. Tiny young spend their first 8 weeks attached to a milk nipple in a pouch. When they leave the pouch, they cling to the mother's fur. Independence comes at 3 to 4 months.

The Chipmunk, Tamias striatus, is a rodent that spends most of its time locating and storing food for the winter. It stays in its burrow from November to March.

Porcupines, Erethuzon dorsatum, have soft fur under loose protective quills. They cannot throw the quills. They are vegetarian, feeding on fresh plants in summer and gnawing bark in winter. The young, born in late spring, nurse about 50 days, although they can climb trees and eat solid food in a few days.

Go To Page: << Previous | 1 2 3