What might this little “snake snack” be?

Curtis Vanderheiden, Calhoun County conservation director, described Loki’s menu.

“He’s going to get a nice yummy mouse,” he said.

Loki made quick work of the thawed formerly frozen “Mickey” while laying in a glass enclosure on a table. He was surrounded by the curious. Not the least bit bashful, he swallowed it head first. The last anyone saw of “Mickey” was the end of his tail, hanging out of Loki’s mouth. Then slurp. Mmmm. Yummy mouse.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Loki the fox snake quickly worked his way to the end of his "snake snack" Saturday during an open house at the new Calhoun County Conservation Nature Center in Rockwell City.

There’s lots to see in the new Nature Center. An entire wall is a display of live animals native to the area. There is a large classroom area, ample offices for staff, modern restrooms and plenty of shop space. There’s also lots of taxidermy, including a selection of African animals and a large standing bear temporarily housed in the shop.

“This has been one and a half years in the making,” Vanderheiden said. “We’ve added a 30-foot-by-100 foot addition.”

The new facility will allow them to offer additional classes for both adults and youth, he said.

They were also able to purchase 1.5 acres north of the center.

“We’ll be able to have outdoor classes there,” he said. “We hope to get as much activity as we can from it. We’re planning several pads and a walking trail.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Hazel Berry, 3, of Lake City, enjoys looking over some of the Iowa species on display with her dad, Kevin Berry, during an open house Saturday at the new Calhoun County Conservation Nature Center in Rockwell City.

He said the public was responding very positively.

“They’re shocked at what it looks like,” he said. “This was an old NAPA store. Some remember it as a NAPA. It’s a shock but a very good shock.”

Vanderheiden is proud that the new center cost local taxpayers very little. He said the bulk of the funding was from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act as well as R.E.A.P. funds.

“We’re proud of that; we’re very mindful of the taxpayers,” he said.

Wyatt Gentry, 9, of Rockwell City, was among the visitors Saturday.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Calhoun County Conservation Naturalist Tehya Mitchell feeds the fox snake, Loki, a thawed out mouse Saturday during an open house at the newly opened nature center in Rockwell City.

He was enjoying looking at a set of animal pelts.

“This one is my favorite,” he said. “I have a ferret; this one is much like one. Boo is tiny compared to this though.”

Kevin Berry, of Lake City, brought his daughter Hazel Berry, 3, along.

“I was impressed with all of it,” he said. “What they’ve been able to do here. This is awesome.”

Hazel Berry was in the front row for the “snake snack.”

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Visitors enjoy watching Loki the fox snake enjoy his "snake snack" Saturday during an open house at the new Calhoun County Conservation Nature Center in Rockwell City. Loki had a nice yummy thawed out mouse.

“She was all about it,” he said.

The current hours for the center are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. They are exploring opening on Saturdays. The Nature Center is located at 1228 W. High St. in Rockwell City.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Visitors enjoy the various animals on display Saturday during an open house at the new Calhoun County Conservation Nature Center in Rockwell City.