If you have visited the Cleveland Botanical Garden this summer, you may be familiar with our impromptu “Creature Features” showcasing some of our animal ambassadors. Featured here are our two panther chameleons named “Bob” and “Mark.” Chameleons are widely known for displaying their brilliant colors and using their long, sticky tongues to catch insects for food.
Another cool fact about them is that their eyes can work independently of each other rotating 180 degrees and that they are agile climbers. Panther chameleons are native to Madagascar, an island off the east coast of Africa and they inhabit the temperate forests of the north and east. At the Cleveland Botanical Garden, care and enrichment is provided for these chameleons in the form of daily physical contact and hand feeding crickets. See photos below for more detail.
Traci S. Williams
Animal & Plant Care Assistant
Traci S. Williams joined the staff of Holden Forests & Gardens in August of 2022. Knowing that she wanted to work with animals since elementary school, Traci pursued her interests through Girl Scouts, various internships, and volunteer opportunities. Earning her B.A. in Environmental Studies/Biology from Cleveland State University, Traci went on to become a Naturalist with World Bird Sanctuary and Cleveland Metroparks. In her free time, Traci enjoys arts-n-crafts (especially crochet), bowling, hiking, and sharing her love of nature with others.
Here’s more to explore
December 6, 2023
Snow and Dormancy: A Delicate Balance Threatened By Climate Change
By Beck Swab, PhD, Director of Conservation and Community Forestry
As winter blankets the world in a pristine layer of snow, a silent transformation takes place in the natural world. Snow cover and dormancy are interconnected elements in the delicate... more
November 8, 2023
Caterpillars at the Nursery
By M Onion, Nursery Plant Propagator Grower
The nursery at the Holden Arboretum takes care of a great number of species. One polyhouse alone currently contains between 300 and 400 species and cultivars. Among all these plants,... more
October 23, 2023
Holden’s Bat Detectors Reveal (Almost) All of Ohio’s Bat Species Live at the Arboretum
By Mike Watson, Conservation Biologist
Bats are among the most fascinating and most misunderstood animals in the United States. For years, fear of rabies, old wives’ tales, and other myths led to the persecution and... more
September 12, 2023
Beneath the Bark: Dead Wood Helps Wildlife Survive
By Kate Small, Gardener
As the Collections team breaks down fallen limbs obstructing pathways and fells dead trees when necessary, you will see some of the resulting logs lining planting beds in the Layer... more
July 25, 2023
Bird Banding at the Holden Arboretum
By Mike Watson, Conservation Biologist
Biologists use many tools to study birds and their behavior – binoculars, cameras, automatic recorders – but one of the simplest tools is the leg band. Leg bands have been... more
June 15, 2023
June is Pollinator Month: Here’s why we need pollinators!
Why do we care about pollinators? Pollinators are important creatures in natural ecosystems and our daily life because they provide vital services to wild plants and our crops. Pollinators carry and... more
March 27, 2023
Behind the Scenes with Cleveland Botanical Garden’s Butterflies
By Matt Edwards, Animal Care Specialist It’s that time of year, the Return of the Butterflies. Have you ever wondered where Cleveland Botanical Garden’s biome butterflies come from, how they... more
January 4, 2023
Season Extending Plants for Pollinators
By Lori Gogolin, Horticulturist
Some of the best pollinator gardens include just a few key features that make them work well. Food, water, shelter and host plants. One way to have the most food... more
December 15, 2022
Winter Discovery Packs
Calling all curious minds! Follow along with our Winter Discovery Trail to unearth the magic of the forest that awakens during frosty months. Explore some of winter’s best plants, become... more
