Who Smells a Rat?
Sniff out the facts about rats and other rodents at Charlotte Nature Museum
September 15, 2010Charlotte, NC – Oh rats! It’s time to get rowdy with rodents and learn all about squirrels, rats, gerbils and more when Charlotte Nature Museum hosts its September Creature Feature: Rat Tales on Saturday, September 18, from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Rats [Rattus sp.] are typically distinguished from mice by their size, but both are sometimes kept as pets. Wrap your tail around these amazing facts: Rats have teeth that grow continuously and most rats, like humans, are right-handed. Rats are actually very clean and, in some cultures, are connected with honesty, hard work and luck. The Southern flying squirrel [Glaucomys volans], another type of rodent, has skin that stretches from each ankle and wrists that act as a parachute. The house mouse [Mus musculus] can perceive ultrasound but has little to no color vision. Animal lovers can burrow deep into fascinating facts about rodents and their habitats as they get close to whiskered friends during the event.
Join us for special story time as we read tails short and long including “Scaredy Squirrel” by Melanie Watt, “Chipmunk Song” by Joanne Ryder, “Mouse” by Barrie Watts, “Three Blind Mice” by John Ivimey and more. Our wild and furry puppet show “Don’t Make a Pet of Me” will delight and entertain visitors of all ages. Sniff out the Naturalist Lab and join us to make a paper bag puppet of your favorite rodent. Special gift items available in Trail’s End Store include Aurora stuffed chipmunks and squirrels as well as books about rodents from Joseph-Beth Booksellers, who will be on-site at the event.
Creature Features, presented by Earth Fare with support from The Guild of Discovery Place and Charlotte Nature Museum, are monthly special events and include crafts, puppet shows, storytelling and refreshments (while supplies last). Creature Feature activities are free with Museum admission. Admission: $6 ages two and older, younger-than-two and Members are free. Parking is free.
Charlotte Nature Museum is located at 1658 Sterling Road, Charlotte. Hours are: Tuesday-Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Sunday noon – 5:00 p.m.; and closed on Monday.
Charlotte Nature Museum offers visitors the chance to get close to wildlife and walk among free-flying butterflies in Butterfly Pavilion, observe live animals in Creature Cavern, buzz by Insect Alley or just hang out in Our Big Backyard. Visitors can learn together during workshops, summer camps and more. Daily programming including hands-on activities provide the opportunity for structured learning and informal play for kids of all ages. Charlotte Nature Museum is operated by Discovery Place, Inc.
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