Country Critters: Our Wild Neighbors

Wildlife You Know—and Some You Don’t

From backyard deer to shoreline herons, Mathews County is alive with animals that share our landscape. In this family-friendly exhibit, we meet our “wild neighbors” face to face: lifelike mounts of native mammals and birds are displayed in realistic scenes that highlight where they live and how they survive. The result is a playful but meaningful invitation to learn about local habitats, conservation, and the unseen wild just outside our doors.

Deer pause in a pine thicket. A fox peeks from tall grasses. Ducks, owls, herons, and squirrels appear in carefully staged dioramas based on real Mathews environments. These familiar animals are brought to life in scenes that spark curiosity, conversation, and deeper understanding of our local ecosystems.

Many of the species in this exhibit live closer than you think. Whether it’s a barred owl near a back porch or a muskrat burrowing near a dock, these animals shape our environment and respond to how we shape it. Learning about their habits can help us better appreciate the complexity of Mathews' natural heritage.

Throughout the exhibit, you’ll find interpretive panels that connect each species to the land and water it depends on. You'll also discover how organizations and individuals in Mathews help protect these spaces—for the benefit of wildlife, water quality, and future generations.

A hands-on “Critter Corner” offers young visitors the chance to feel replica fur and feathers, match tracks to animals, and think about how different creatures move, feed, and build shelter. Field trip programs and weekend activities expand on these themes through storytelling, art, and games.