Large, colorful and just a wee bit clumsy, lubber grasshoppers are known as the clowns of the insect world. Our eastern lubbers were bred from captive stock and, due to their large size, are excellent visual aids when naturalists are teaching about insects. Their diet includes fresh greens, chopped vegetables and other plants, but they have a special fondness for dandelions. Sometimes considered pesty in their home range, lubbers actually eat far less by weight than other grasshoppers a third their size.

Mischievous – Funloving – Daring – Sweet
It is with great sadness that we share the news that Peter Rabbit, a long-time and beloved resident of Hickory Knolls has passed. Peter was part of our Park District nature family for 12 years and participated in many school programs, birthday parties and summer camps. Adopted in 2008 before the Discovery Center even existed, he welcomed visitors to the “Nature Room” at Pottawatomie Community Center. Thanks Peter for your years as an animal ambassador. You will be missed!