MARION — The Marion Natural History Museum hosted an afterschool program, “ Creating a Winter Habitat,’’ Wednesday, Jan. 22.

Winter can create some survival difficulties for area animals. In this program, participants created winter habitats for animals such as black bears, snakes and beavers.

Participants explored what these three animals need in their habitats to survive, such as food, water and shelter. 

After learning how to build a snake hibernaculum, a beaver lodge and a bear den the group tried their hand at creating miniatures for museum display.

The beaver lodge was tested to see if it held water back and still kept the lodge dry inside. According to the museum, it was a “huge success.”

The public is free to come in to view any of these creations during the museum’s open hours.