FEATURED RESIDENT: Ruffles
A WALK IN THE PARK WITH RUFFLES
When it is time for a walk in the park, Ruffles is ready to explore the open grassy area with volunteer tortoise walker Randy. Their visits often draw people to stop, slow down, and take a closer look at a gopher tortoise, a much-misunderstood keystone species in Florida.
Ruffles is easy to recognize. Her shell did not develop correctly, leaving it flatter and wavier than a typical gopher tortoise shell, much like a ruffled potato chip. It is the detail that inspired her name and makes her especially memorable to the people who meet her.
She is also a big eater, which is something Randy knows well. Randy absolutely adores Ruffles, and their time together has become a favorite way for visitors to experience a closer connection with Florida wildlife.
Ruffles helps us explain why gopher tortoises matter. Their burrows in sandy soil can provide shelter for other native wildlife, making the species an important part of Florida’s ecosystem.
Join Randy, Ruffles, and Legolas during daily Tortoise Walks at 12:30 p.m., weather permitting.
November at the Education Center
Fall is a wonderful time to visit the Peace River Wildlife Center. Whether you are a first-time guest or a familiar face, our Education Center offers daily opportunities to connect with Florida’s native wildlife and learn how PRWC is helping protect them.
Daily at the Center
(weather permitting)
Boardwalk Ambassadors | 11:00 AM
Tortoise Walks | 12:30 PM
Pelican Feedings | 2:00 PM
Special Events
Veterans Day Eagle Talk – Monday, November 11
at 1:00 p.m.
Celebrate Veterans Day with a special Eagle Talk led by Valerie Wolfrey. Learn about PRWC’s Bald Eagle ambassadors and how these majestic birds have become powerful symbols of strength and freedom.
Thanksgiving Day Hours – 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
PRWC will be open for limited hours on Thanksgiving Day. Bring visiting friends or family and spend part of your holiday giving thanks for Florida’s incredible wildlife.
