Posted: March 19, 2009, 4:15 p.m. EDT
Courtesy of Aquarium of the Bay
Chinchillas and hedgehogs make their debut at the Aquarium of the Bay on March 21, 2009, and the new exhibit featuring the animals officially opens on April 4. |
If you want to meet a chinchilla or hedgehog, check out the Aquarium of the Bay in San Francisco on March 21, 2009, for its “Soft And Prickly: Invasion Of The Land Mammals” event. The “invasion” is the final in a series of preview weekends for new exhibits at the aquarium that are set to have a grand opening on April 4. Residents of the nine Bay Area counties pay only half price for admission during the month of March.
Why are land mammals like the chinchilla and hedgehog at an aquarium? They’re part of a new PG&E Bay Lab exhibit that focuses on climate change. Other residents of the exhibit include reptiles, insects and more. It features land-dwelling animals as nature’s ambassadors to promote energy conservation.
“We want to give our visitors a greater understanding of these animals’ habits and habitats, as well as how they are affected by climate change,” said CEO John Frawley.
Touchable animals in the exhibit include the African pygmy hedgehog, chinchilla, Western Pond Turtle, and Blue-Tongued Skink. Look-But-Don’t-Touch residents include honey bees, the Pacific Tree Frog and more.
The two chinchillas in the PG&E Bay Lab are both 8 years old. The hedgehogs are both 16 months old. The preview this weekend includes live animal presentations and interaction, hands-on activities and more. The chinchillas and hedgehogs will have their own exhibit space in the 1,200 square foot Lab.