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Kansas Wildlife Exhibit

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Wichita, KS
Kansas Wildlife Exhibit

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The Kansas Wildlife Exhibit contains over 20 different species of native mammals, reptiles and birds in seven outdoor displays.
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The best time to visit is during the feeding time program that begins at 12:00pm noon EVERY DAY.

10/22/2026

This may look like something out of an alien film but the molting process is perfectly natural for our spider friends. 👽

Spiders posses a hard, exoskeleton that is incapable of expanding. In order to grow, a spider must first release this rigid tissue.

To do so, this orb weaver first hangs upside down. Once the exoskeleton cracks open, the spider wriggles and moves before finally slipping free of their carapace. At this stage our friend’s new exoskeleton is entirely soft and pliable. They expand and grow by pumping hemolymph (spider blood) into their new exoskeleton. This stage is very dangerous for spiders as they are totally defenseless until the new exoskeleton hardens, a process that can take several days to complete.

Young spiderlings grow at a fast rate and therefore molt more frequently. Adult spiders, especially those that have reached maturity, molt much less frequently and some species stop entirely. 🕷️

10/21/2026

“𝘐𝘛’𝘚 𝘈𝘓𝘐𝘝𝘌!”

Just imagine if Dr Frankenstein stitched together pieces of algae and fungus, assembling them into a fascinating creation. And imagine that by doing so, they lose their original identities and instead behave as a new, single organism. 🌱

Lichen may not be as dark as a gothic horror novel but it is equally as intriguing. 🧐

Even though it grows in trees, and looks like moss, it isn’t a plant. Or an algae. Or a fungus. Lichen is considered a single, complex organism which is formed when a fungus provides a growing structure and physical protection for a photosynthetic green algae or cyanobacteria, which produces food for both of them. 🤝

10/20/2026

The American Lady (𝘝𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘢 𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴) 🦋 is a work of art. 🖼️

This butterfly, and its cousin the Painted Lady (𝘝𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘢 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘶𝘪), look similar as one of our followers kindly pointed out. 😊

The quickest way to differentiate the species is the number of ‘eye’ 👁️ spots on the underwing. The American Lady, as pictured, has two large eyes. The more widely distributed Painted Lady has four smaller eyes.

This American Lady is enjoying the native asters in the plant beds next to the exhibit. ♥️

10/19/2026

You can be right about everything and still be wrong. ✅

10/18/2026

Today has been filled with sunshine, butterflies, and extra ambassador engagements. 🦋

Čhápa loved the extra sweet potatoes, Rufus enjoyed some fresh mint, and Chuck reveled in all of the attention on this wonderful Sunday Funday! 🍠🌿

10/17/2026

Praying mantis spotted among the asters. ♥️

This sizable specimen was thankfully good-natured.

10/16/2026

Velvet ants (also known as cowkillers, more on that later) are a beautiful and interesting wasp. 🧡

Female velvet ants, unlike males, are wingless, ectoparasitic, and oh so fuzzy! These solitary females utilize the inhabited burrows of other ground nesting bees and wasps to feed their young. 🕳️ The eggs they lay are positioned right next to the larva of the bee or wasp that originally established the domicile. Since velvet ants hatch quickly, they assume immediate ownership of the burrow, complete with its own complimentary, built-in buffet. 😅

Female velvet ants have a sting that is known to pack a punch, hence the common name “cowkiller”. While a sting won’t actually kill a cow or send you to the hospital, definitely don’t touch these adorably plush wasps. Schmidt described their sting pain as “explosive and long lasting”. 🩹 Males, however, cannot sting because they lack an ovipositor, which is an egg laying apparatus that doubles as a stinger. They are also winged and look like a traditional wasp. 𓆤

10/15/2026

Turtle Turtle! 🐢

Wichita High School North classes visited KWE earlier this week and were introduced to the largest of our shelled ambassadors. The beautiful native wildflower beds were covered in bees, maximilian sunflowers were appreciatively sniffed, and a special guest appearance by Čhápa made for a good time had by all. 🦫

10/14/2026

Do you recognize where Rusty was last night 🌙 when the storm ⛈️ rolled in? Answer is in the comment section.

Rusty would like to report it’s still raining. ☔️

10/13/2026

Thank you Riverside Garden! 🪏🪴

Todd and Rusty were invited to the nearby Riverside Garden on Saturday, and presented about the Kansas Wildlife Exhibit 🦫 during a monthly lecture 🗣️ series.

The Riverside Garden also donates a great deal of sweet potatoes 🍠 and greens for Exhibit ambassadors. Čhápa devours a copious amount of sweet potato vine, and even includes it as a fashion statement. 👑

Thank you so much for all you do Riverside Garden! ♥️

Address

700 N Nims Street
Wichita, KS
67203

Telephone

(316) 337-9211

Website

facebook.com

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