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Critter Crawl – Night Tour

Join us after dark on a night-time adventure with our Education Staff! Discover the amazing world of nocturnal life in the Sonoran Desert on this family friendly ‘crawl’. Learn about Sonoran Desert ecology while taking a closer look at the local critters. Plus, get the knowledge you need to be prepared for your own night-time treks. Preregistration is required and limited to 25 guests. For your safety, children 4 and under are not permitted.
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 has limited artificial lighting.
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: Trails are mostly flat, hard-packed dirt with small portions of sand and cobblestone. Trails are not leveled and contain uneven terrain, humps, and dips. Trail width is at minimum 2 ft across.
Restrooms: Wheelchair accessible restrooms are located in the Visitor’s Center.
Register Here: https://7830.blackbaudhosting.com/7830/Critter-Crawl-Night-Tour-17Oct2025-2
Questions? Please email [email protected] or call (520) 689-4525
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Barrel Cacti may be covered in spines, but that doesn`t stop it from being a vital food source for desert wildlife!
Bees, rodents, birds, javelina, beetles, mule deer, bighorn sheep, and jackrabbits all benefit from either its pollen, seeds, fruit, or even the plant itself.
No matter its size, shape, or number of spines, every desert plant has an import role to play in our ecosystem. 🌵
#barrelcactus #ferocactus #cactuslovers #cactuscollection #btarboretum #fishhookbarrel #desertplants
Due to weather, Boo-tanical Bash has been cancelled.
We hope to see you another time! Until then, stay safe and stay spooky. 👻
If you`ve already purchased tickets for the event, please reach out to [email protected] and we`ll reschedule your ticket to another date.
#bootanicalbash #btarboretum
🌻Sometimes it`s easier to let gravity do the work!
By hanging upside down from stems, Lesser Goldfinches put themselves in the perfect position to catch falling seeds as they peck. This unique feeding behavior gives them a strong advantage, allowing them to reach seeds other birds can`t while saving time and energy.
#lessergoldfinch #goldfinch #birdadaptations #BirdFacts #birdlovers #natureeducation #sunflowers
🕷️🕸️The Arboretum is decorated for Halloween! And we have the funnel web spiders to thank for it.
If you see one of these funnels in our garden, take a peak inside! You might just see a little friend hidden within, waiting for it`s next meal.
#funnelwebspider #funnelweb #spiderweb #arizonaspider #happyhalloween #SpiderFacts #SpiderLovers
Sometimes we are so focused on looking ahead that we forget to pause and observe what`s right next to us. (Or in this case, directly below us!)
There`s wonder in big landscapes and beautiful scenery, but there can also be wonder in a tiny ant carrying something nearly twice its size. The strength and determination is inspiring.
What`s something small and beautiful you noticed today? Let us know in the comments! 👇
#insectlovers #desertinsects #AntLovers #antsofinstagram #entimology #buglovers
There is so much to discover on the Arboretum trails. Enhance your exploration by joining one of our walks or tours!
🛞Cart Tours: Every Thursday | 9:30 - 10:30 am (registration recommended!)
🐦Bird Walks: Every Wednesday | 8:15 - 9:30 am
🦋Butterfly Walk: Nov 14 | 9:30 - 10:30 am
🌲Arboretum Discovery Tours: November to March - Every Friday & Saturday | 10:00 - 11:00 am
🌵Wallace Garden Tours: November to February - Every Saturday | 9:00 - 10:00 am
View more events by clicking the link in our bio!
#naturetour #birdwalks #ButterflyWalk #birdnerds #naturelovers #NatureEducation #naturewalk #btarboretum #thingstodoaz #superioraz