Animal Grossology Opens May 16
PHILADELPHIA,
April 13, 2015
Oozing with disgusting science, Animal Grossology provides a slightly off-kilter view of the animal kingdom starting Saturday, May 16, with its grand opening at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. Get ready to be totally en-GROSS-ed!
Based on the best-selling Grossology children’s book series by Sylvia Branzei, Animal Grossology is packed with hands-on fun that celebrates those yucky topics moms warn their kids not to discuss at the dinner table. Featuring sophisticated animatronics and imaginative animal characters, the exhibit introduces scientific concepts in ways that will make some kids giggle and others say “Ew, gross!”
“A lot of what we think is disgusting in animals is normal, and it’s super important for their role in nature,” said Mary Bailey, the Academy’s special exhibits education coordinator. “For example, we may think it’s disgusting that dung beetles collect elephant poop and eat it. But if they didn’t do that, there would be poop everywhere!”
Animal Grossology offers a fresh take on some of the more disgusting things animals do and engages visitors in how blood, vomit, pellets, dookie, and slime can be fun, funky and even fascinating. Visitors will:
- See larger-than-life bloodsuckers and learn where they store blood in their bodies.
- Learn why a cat’s anatomy is the reason why cats spit up hairballs.
- Unravel the mystery of the incredible tapeworm.
- Discover how snail and slug slime may lead to a treatment for cystic fibrosis.
- Find out why cows chew cud.
In addition to the exhibit, educators at the Academy’s Carts of Curiosity will engage visitors with live animals and animal products with gross origins (honey, silk, perfume and a type of coffee made from a certain animal feces). On most Wednesdays between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., visitors will be able to witness the dissection of a worm, squid, urchin, or eye of a cow.
Sound over the top? Bailey assures that it’s all presented in tasteful and entertaining ways that families can enjoy and learn from at the same time.
“Some people think it’s gross that slugs have a slime trail, but they’ll learn that the slime helps them move around and find each other,” Bailey said. “Slugs are an important food source for other animals.”
Animal Grossology is on view through Aug. 30. Tickets may be purchased online at ansp.org.
GROSSOLOGY Exhibition is produced by Advanced Animations LLC. GROSSOLOGY is a registered trademark of Penguin Group (USA) LLC.
For images, visit: ansp.org/about/press-room/photos/changing-exhibits/
Media Contact