For the Goat Fans
Yes, millions, and no, not the kind found on an MTV special but creatures you can find by exploring the largest campus in the UC system and one renowned for its many animal–related majors (see our list on this page) and our top-ranked School of Veterinary Medicine.
Check Out Our Animal Majors
If you take the time to look around, you will see that our Davis campus is bursting with life, from the squirrels in the trees to the golden or bald eagle at the Raptor Center, horses at the UC Davis Horse Barn or a painted lady butterfly landing on a nearby flower.
The UC Davis Arboretum alone has at least 31 species of mammals and 19 species of reptiles, according to arboretum administrators.
When you walk through the arboretum you discover the biodiversity. Ducks will approach you to beg for food (don’t do it!), and squirrels will run up and down the trees when not posing for your camera. (We even have a Facebook page for our squirrels — check it out!)
If you cross a bridge, you might spy a river otter surfacing in the waterway or an egret standing motionless on the bank. This is one of the most peaceful ways of getting to know the campus — and the arboretum is always open.
Millions of bugs
Our entomologists can provide you with information about our smaller residents, if you’re not bugged by these six-, eight- or more legged residents!
Head over to the Bohart Museum of Entomology, located in 1124 Academic Surge, where you can find millions (seriously) of specimens native and non-native to the area. The museum boasts one of the 10 largest collections of terrestrial arthropods in North America.
Senior Museum Scientist Steve Heydon says, “This is the only insect collection in North America that will actually allow you to visit the research collection and talk to the staff.”
In fact, Heydon points out, visitors can see many kinds of live insects up close and personal.
The buzz at UC Davis
Another place to see insects is the Häagen Dazs Honey Bee Haven, only a few miles away from the central campus on Bee Biology Road. It’s open all year-round.
And the UC Davis Horse Barn, off of La Rue Road on the central campus, has horses and donkeys you can visit.
As long as the gates are open, you can walk through and will likely be approached by a staff member willing to give you more information about the animals.
To get more involved, take an animal science class. UC Davis offers the opportunity for students to “live-In” at one of nine animal facilities on campus.
Other ag animals
You may be interested in an internship with the dairy cows. People often visit this Davis trademark at the barn near the Tercero residence halls.
If you are curious about pigs, schedule a visit to our Swine Facility, located about two miles from the center of campus west of Interstate 113. Contact the facility staff to visit the animals or take a class that will give you more time to know our pigs.
If you are more of a goat person, visit them at the Dairy Goat Research Facility on Old Davis Road, south of the main campus. You can also volunteer or apply for an internship that will let you get to know these animals.
Raptors galore
The Raptor Center, located south of Interstate 80 off Old Davis Road at 1340 Equine Lane, is another great place to visit. Whether you want to check out a barn owl or a golden eagle that is being rehabilitated, you can learn about them by taking a tour with a guide. Open to the public 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, the center is free of charge.
Final advice: Go out, explore and enjoy our fellow creatures at UC Davis! You don’t have to travel far to get to know a little bit about the world and the animals that make it unique.
UC Davis is growing California
At UC Davis, we and our partners are nourishing our state with food, economic activity and better health, playing a key part in the state’s role as the top national agricultural producer for more than 50 years. UC Davis is participating in UC’s Global Food Initiative launched by UC President Janet Napolitano, harnessing the collective power of UC to help feed the world and steer it on the path to sustainability.
Media Resources
Gregory Urquiaga
Kathy Keatley Garvey, 530-754-6894, kegarvey@ucdavis.edu
Cheng Saechao
Debbie Aldridge