Critter Crawl Night Tour

Join us after dark on a night-time adventure with our Education Staff and Docents! Discover the amazing world of nocturnal life in the Sonoran Desert on this family friendly ‘crawl’. Guests will learn about Sonoran Desert ecology while taking a closer look at the local critters. Plus, you will get the knowledge you need to be prepared for your own night-time treks.
Preregistration is required and limited to 24 guests. For your safety, children ages 4 and under and pets are not permitted.
Register: https://7830.blackbaudhosting.com/7830/Critter-Crawl-Night-Tour-21Aug2026
Distance: Each experience is unique and follows the critters. However, you will walk no more than 1 mile.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Content Notice: This tour contains content regarding snakes, spiders, scorpions, bugs, owls, and other nighttime animals. The arboretum is primarily dark at night and artificial lighting is limited.
What to bring/wear: Close-toed shoes, plenty of water (at least 32oz/person), flashlights/headlamps for each member of your party, and snacks (if needed). Our gift shop will NOT be open to purchase water bottles or snacks.
Trail conditions: Mostly flat, hard packed dirt with small portions of sand and cobblestone. Our trails are not leveled and contain uneven terrain, humps, and dips. Trail width is at minimum 2 ft across.
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Does adventuring through the Arboretum at dusk in search of little critters sound exciting to you? Then what are you waiting for? Register for one of our Critter Crawls today. We only have three tours left!
📆Friday, July 24
📆Friday, August 7
📆Friday, August 21
Join us and learn what it means to "sniff spiders" 🕷️👃
#spidersniffing #herpingarizona #arizonabats #crittercrawl #nighttour #NocturnalWildlife
It`s a pear-fect time to visit the Arboretum!
The prickly pear cacti are fruiting all across the garden. This vibrant fruit ripens when the weather is at its hottest and driest, making it a vital food source for all kinds of desert wildlife.
Have you tried prickly pear fruit before? Let us know in the comments what you thought of it! 👇
#pricklypear #pricklypearfruit #plantlovers #naturelovers #aznature
Seeing wildlife at the Arboretum is never boar-ing. In fact - Javelinas aren`t boars at all! They`ve been evolving separately from true pigs for nearly 40 million years. 🐖
Keep a look out for these little guys when you`re out hiking in the desert. Odds are you`ll smell them before you see them! Their scent glands produce a strong, unpleasant odor that helps them mark territory and recognize members of their herd. Always make sure to keep a safe distance!
#javelina #aznature #desertlife #WildlifeFacts #arizonawildlife #collaredpeccaries #DesertWildlife
We love seeing our furry friends at Boyce Thompson Arboretum! Here are some quick tips to combat the heat during outdoor excursions with your pet:
🌄Start Early. Take advantage of our early summer hours and visit before it gets too hot! This summer we open at 6:00 am and offer a discounted admission price of $16.
💧Stay Hydrated. Make sure to bring plenty of water for yourself and your dog! We have drinking fountains throughout the gardens you can use to refill your bottles.
💚Take Frequent Breaks. Don`t push yourself too hard in the heat! Enjoy shaded benches throughout the garden where you can observe desert plants, birds, and a variety of other critters up close.
⚠Watch for Signs. If your pet is excessively panting, seems disorientated, or is moving slower than normal, get them water and shade as quickly as possible. Make sure you are paying attention to your own body as well! Headaches, dizziness, nausea, and confusion are all symptoms of heat exhaustion. Be extra aware when temperatures exceed 105° F.
If you have any additional tips for combatting the hot weather, please feel free to drop them in the comments below! We hope to see you and your furry companions soon.
#heatwave #ArizonaHeat #HeatTips #arizonatrails #ThingsToDoAZ #naturelovers #dogfriendly
Join BTA and Arizona Game and Fish for a special members-only evening of bat netting! Witness the beauty of these winged creatures up close and personal and learn about their important ecological role as pollinators and insect controllers.
Experienced biologists will provide a fun, informative presentation about the biology and behavior of bats, as well as threats they face in the wild.
📆Sat Aug 1 (SOLD OUT) & Sat Sep 12
🕦7:00 - 10:00 pm
👥Ages 10+
🐾No pets allowed
🎟Admission: $40
Space is limited! Advance registration is required.
#batnetting #nocturalanimals #aznature #desertlife #naturelovers #familyactivities #DesertWildlife #BatLovers