Adopt a PEEC Animal

At PEEC, visitors have a chance to see a few of the small animals found in New Mexico. You can meet Betty the bullfrog, Link the skink, and Tam and Cam the salamanders. Sometimes our animals even visit classrooms. In this way PEEC helps people learn about nature and not be afraid of it. Each of our educational animals is special, and you can help one of the animals feel extra special by adopting it for $25/year.

Adoption FAQ

What do I get as an adoptive parent?

As a proud new parent, you'll receive a color photo of your animal mounted in a magnetic frame, an official adoption certificate, and a fact sheet about your animal. Your name will be displayed on the animal's enclosure.

What does the animal get when I adopt it?

As an adoptive parent, you can be sure that your animal will get fresh food, good lighting, clean bedding, and other improvements to its habitat.

Do I have to take care of my animal?

No. Your adopted animal will be cared for by PEEC.

Can I visit my adopted animal?

Yes, please come and visit your animal any time PEEC is open. If you call in advance, you can schedule a time when you'll be allowed to feed your animal.

Can more than one person adopt an animal?

Yes!

How long does my adoption last?

You will be honored as an adoptive parent for one year, and you will have your name proudly displayed on the animal's habitat.

Will I be helping PEEC by adopting an animal?

Yes. Live animals are an important (but costly) part of our educational mission, and you will be helping us to care for them.

What do I have to do to adopt an animal?

Ask any of our volunteers or staff members to help you fill out an enrollment form.

Can I pay for an animal adoption online?

Yes, click here.

Animals for Adoption

	Elf the Turtle Elf the Red-eared Slider is very active in his large aquarium. Elf seems curious about people who look below his water level to watch him. He also likes to bask under his sun lamp. He eats crickets, earthworms, fish, fruit, and veggies.
	Flip the Plecostomus Flip the plecostomus is a fish who lives with Elf and cleans algae from his habitat. Flip even eats algae from Elf's shell sometimes. Whereas Elf is likely to be watching people, Flip usually rests upside down under one of Elf's rock platforms, showing just a flip of fluttery fins.
	Chihuahuan Spotted Whiptail The Spotted Whiptail is one of the less-often lizards seen around the area. It is easily identified by having both stripes and tiny spots. Whiptail lizards are named for their long skinny tails.
	Foxxy the Hognose Snake Foxxy was named for the donors who sponsored his purchase, Jim and Terry Foxx. He is an ideal snake for exhibit because hognose snake almost never bite. He likes to hide under his cave, looking out at visitors and flicking his tongue.
	Woody the Woodhouse's Toad Woody the toad is covered with bumpy, warty skin. He likes to hide under his cave. He eats crickets.
	Link the Skink Link is a Great Plains Skink. She looks much like a speckled tan snake with four delicate legs and feet. She is often found inside her hideway rock, which lifts open for viewing. Link has a strong bite and eats crickets and mealworms.
	Milk Snake The New Mexico Milk Snake is a copycat. It mimics the colors of the venomous coral snake, but the milk snake is harmless. She is an excellent education animal.
	Betty the Bullfrog Betty the bullfrog is big and rounded, with a dark colored back and a creamy colored belly. She likes to hide underwater or float at the surface. When things are quiet at the Center, she sometimes comes out of the water to bask under her lamp. Betty eats earthworms, crickets, and pinky mice.
	Tam the Tiger Salamander Tam the tiger salamander has a brown body with drab olive spots, typical coloration for this species in the Jemez Mountains. You may find him hiding under his flower pot, or sitting under his fountain. Often you can see him peaking out of the opening of his burrow waiting for snacks: crickets, earthworms, and mealworms.
	Desert Millipedes The desert millipede is one of the largest millipede species in the US. Our millipedes came from White Rock, where they are quite common in the summer. They eat all kinds of fruit and vegetable scraps.
	Crayfish Our crayfish came from the Jemez River. She is one of the light-colored "blue" crayfish that are occasionally found there. She likes to eat raw fish and fish food flakes.
	Violet the Tarantula Violet is a Chilean Rose Tarantula. She spins webs to make herself a comfortable home, not to catch prey. She eats crickets and likes to hide under her log.
	Native Fish Our native fish live in a 180-gallon aquarium. We have Rio Grande Suckers, Rio Grande Chub, and Longnose Dace. These fish are common in the Jemez River, and some are also found in the Rio Grande. They eat algae wafers and protein pellets.
	Wild Birds Wild birds at PEEC's outside bird feeders vary with the seasons, and they know where to come for food anytime. Our feeders are a good place for beginning bird watchers to watch. PEEC has a changing show of birds throughout the year because of the nearby woods.
	Worms Wouldn't this be an interesting adoption to give as a gift? The worms at PEEC eat Elf's leftover veggies and other fruit and vegetable scraps. The worms, in turn, serve as food for some of PEEC's animals. They also serve as education animals, teaching people about composting.