ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828NewsNow.com) – The Western North Carolina Nature Center has a new addition, and he’s straight from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, D.C.
Meet Meatball.
According to a Facebook post by the Nature Center, Meatball is 16 years old and weighs approximately 1.5 pounds. The Nature Center said that the hellbender just recently arrived and is settling into his new home at Appalachian Station.
“Meatball is much smaller than our other hellbender, Meatloaf. He’s busy exploring his new habitat, so look for him tucked beneath a rock or log during your next visit,” the post said.
The Nature Center’s other older hellbender, Meatloaf, is still receiving veterinary care off exhibit. Since hellbenders are solitary animals, the two won’t be sharing a habitat, the Nature Center said.
According to the National Wildlife Federation, hellbenders’ lifespans are uncertain, but captive individuals have lived up to 29 years.
The WNC Nature Center is located at 75 Gashes Creek Rd. in Asheville. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. The Nature Center is open 361 days a year, being closed on four holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
More information, including ticket prices, is available at the WNC Nature Center website.