Expert exhibitors at Spinning Spiders and Creepy Crawlers will give you goosebumps with information about native and nonnative insects, arthropods and arachnids, bats and other critters and how they survive, help the environment and assist in controlling insect populations. Little visitors will shiver with excitement meeting fascinating but not-too-scary creatures, including the curly hair tarantula [Brachypelma albopilosum], giant millipede [Archispirostreptus spp, Scaphiostreptus spp] and scorpion [Hadogenes sp,], and brave visitors wanting a real treat can touch a Madagascar hissing cockroach. Energetic little goblins can practice hocus pocus outside at Fort Not-So-Spooky, which will feature interactive stations with pumpkins, spiders, a graveyard dig, a scavenger hunt and spider-themed games along the Paw Paw Nature Trail.
Spiders and insects weave a tangled web of amazing instincts and abilities. It may seem eerie but Madagascar hissing cockroaches [Gromphadorhina portentosa] produce a noise similar to the hiss of a snake and can bear as many as 60 nymph roaches at one time. Did you know that spiders have no bones because their tough skin serves as a protective outer skeleton?
"They might seem scary, but bugs and other species have important jobs as a part of our natural ecosystem," said Vonna Brown, coordinator of Charlotte Nature Museum. "For example bats are helpful for our gardens because they can eat from 2,000 to 6,000 insects each night, including agricultural crop pests like flies, mosquitoes and gnats."
Story Time will cast a spell with titles such as "The Itsy-Bitsy Spider" by Iza Trapani, "Night Animals" by Millicent E. Selsami and "Noises in the Woods" by Judi Friedman. Make sure to catch the Puppet Show "The Unloveables", and scare some extra fun into your day by checking out special items for sale in Trail's End Gift Shop including a remote-controlled tarantula, scorpion lollipops and bug collection boxes.
Creature Features, supported by The Guild of Discovery Place, Inc., are monthly special events and include crafts, Puppet Shows and storytelling. 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 inCreature 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.
