On Saturday, Balboa Park’s Fleet Science Center will open its new exhibit, “Survival of the Slowest,” where visitors can observe and interact with “nature’s smallest, slowest, and weakest creatures to discover how they not only survive, but thrive in the wild.”
The exhibit, open through Sept. 1, will feature 19 unique habitats and 22 live animals, including Maple the sloth, Iggy the iguana, and Aphrodite the boa constrictor, a center statement said.
“The exhibit looks at animal adaptations that you would not normally consider to be advantageous,” said Paul Siboroski, the director of exhibits at the Fleet Science Center. “Whether it’s the sloth that’s slow or the spider that’s small, these animals have turned their disadvantages into survival mechanisms through years of evolution.”
Wildlife experts will give three daily interactive presentations at the institution, and animal care staff will supervise informal animal interactions during regular museum hours.
“Survival of the Slowest”, produced by Little Ray’s Nature Center, explores general biology concepts and “highlights overlooked species through hands-on animal interaction and thought-provoking educational presentations,” according to the statement.
“It’s got everything that you could want in a gallery experience while also being very unique and different for us,” says Siboroski. “We’re excited to give visitors an immersive, educational, and engaging experience.”
–City News Service
