PHILADELPHIA, January 11, 2016

Tarantulas: Alive and Up Close opens Saturday, Jan. 30, with a weekend full of activities that shed light on some of nature’s most fascinating and beautiful creatures.

Nearly 20 species of live tarantulas—fangs and all—will be on display in this exhibit at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. Tarantulas, on view through May 30, takes visitors on a journey of scientific discovery, presenting these eight-legged giants of the spider world in a new light. Focusing on the diverse and natural beauty of tarantulas, the exhibit provides a personal view of the hidden world of these incredible creatures and an engaging live experience for all ages.

Every Saturday and Sunday at 11:45 a.m. through the run of the exhibit, visitors can enjoy a short presentation by an Academy educator featuring a particular live tarantula.

The following activities take place both Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 30 and 31, and are free with regular museum admission except where noted:

Animals of the Academy, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Meet the Academy’s furry, feathery and scaled ambassadors in this live animal presentation. Learn about their fascinating similarities and differences.

Tarantula Talk, 11:45 a.m.
Enjoy a short presentation by an Academy educator featuring a live tarantula. This talk is included with admission to Tarantulas: Alive and Up Close.

Bugs on the Big Screen, 1 p.m.
The bugs are ready for their close-up! Check out some awesome arachnids, magnificent mantids or cool cockroaches in this technology-enabled live show.

Spider Story Time in Outside In, 2 p.m.
Join Marty the Moose and Octavia the Tarantula for a story about how and why spiders are so cool.

Creepy Crawly Crafts
Make your own wearable arachnid accessory or dynamic jumping spider craft to take home.

Interactive Education Carts and Stations
Use cutting-edge technology to explore live arachnids up close. Learn all about spiders: what they eat, how they sense their surroundings, and how different species produce different kinds of silk.

Tarantulas: Alive and Up Close was created by Outhouse Exhibit Services, Inc. There is a $5 fee to enter the exhibit in addition to regular museum admission. Tickets may be purchased online at http://ansp.org/visit/exhibits/tarantulas/

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For images, visit: ansp.org/about/press-room/photos/changing-exhibits/

For facts about tarantulas, visit http://ansp.org/about/press-room/releases/2015/tarantulas-facts/

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