- December 4, 2025
Ellie Schultz, city recreation leader at the EDC, shows Dexter to Emily and Aiden Queen, of Ormond Beach. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ellie Schultz, city recreation leader at the EDC, and Dexter. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ellie Schultz, city recreation leader at the EDC, and Dexter. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Dexter is estimated to be about 10 years old. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ellie Schultz, city recreation leader at the EDC, shows Dexter to Emily and Aiden Queen, of Ormond Beach. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Makayla Sanford holds Dexter. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ellie Schultz, city recreation leader at the EDC, speaks to those in attendance for the special program on leopard geckos. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The welcome program for Dexter also included cake. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ellie Schultz, city recreation leader at the EDC, and residents Rachel and Makayla Sanford, and Aiden and Emily Queen get ready to eat cake. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ellie Schultz, city recreation leader at the EDC, cuts the cake. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Ormond Beach Environmental Discovery Center has a new ambassador.
And he can fit in the palm of your hand.
On Friday, Aug. 15, the EDC held a special program to welcome Dexter, a leopard gecko, as the center's seventh ambassador animal, joining four snakes and two Florida box turtles, named Frank and Beans. During the program, children learned facts about leopard geckos, including about their anatomy, life cycles, diet and habitat.
Ellie Schultz, city recreation leader at the EDC, said it's important for people to be able to interact with elements of nature, and the EDC's ambassador animals are part of that initiative.
"I think being able to have animals that we can have the kids hold or pet or touch is really useful
for the kids to be able to build those relationships with animals and hopefully that'll then extend to being out in nature and respecting, not just the animals, but the plants and all of the other wildlife out there," said Schultz, a former teacher.
Dexter arrived to the EDC after the center's caretaker found out his owner needed to rehome him.
"We were of course very happy to have a leopard gecko and a new animal that we were able to help people learn about new species that they might not know about," Schultz said.
Leopard geckos can live up to 20 years in captivity. Dexter is estimated to be around 10.
"So he is getting a little up there in age but he should still have several years to enjoy his time with us here," Schultz said.
