Life at the Extremes Week April 13, 2009

What lives where water boils under the sea, in the heat of the desert or in the Arctic? Kids will discover the fascinating animals that live in extreme environments during Life at the Extremes Week, April 13 to 19, at Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration.

At the Arctic Coast exhibit, which currently houses the aquarium’s three beluga whales along with Shedd Aquarium’s seven belugas, guests will learn about the adaptations that allow the whales to live in the extreme cold. Shedd’s belugas and dolphins’ vacation here is almost over – don’t miss the rare opportunity to see Pacific white-sided dolphins on the east coast and the aquariums’ belugas interacting with each other.

Visitors to the Roger Tory Peterson penguin exhibit will hear about the characteristics that allow African penguins to live in a temperate climate. Guests will also get close to animals that live in extremely dry environments, such as reptiles, and in wet environments, such as millipedes.

Interactive activities on the weekdays include a game to help kids learn about the different and difficult stages of sea turtles’ lives; a mural activity to teach guests about the animals and plants that live between the tides and must deal with temperature changes, the changing of the tides and changes in salt content; and lessons on deep-sea vents and testing salt levels, temperature and pH levels of water.

Younger children can catch cut-outs of deep-sea creatures containing fun facts. They can also observe foam cups shrunken under pressure to understand varying water pressures.

Weekday activities and games will take place on the main exhibit floor and in the classrooms at various times during the day.

Official Website: http://www.mysticaquarium.org