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Feature article
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Predators exhibit invades Natural History Museum
By staff report
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Predators past and present are invading the Natural History Museum in Gray.
The fossil site’s newest traveling exhibit, opening Saturday in the Niswonger Gallery, offers insight into some of the most dangerous animals on land, in the sea and in the sky.
This 3,000 square-foot hands-on exhibit from the Museum of Discovery in Little Rock, Ark., explores how predators — from cats, wolves, bears and bats to pterodactyls, jellyfish, crocodiles and Orca whales — are equipped to fulfill their role in the natural world.
How did the dinosaurs track their prey, and what was their favorite meal? Do common house cats and the big cats of Africa still have common traits? What is the most dangerous animal in the ocean?
Visitors can pull up a chair at the Carnivore Café and find out. Check out your new reflection in animal-vision, where mirrors show a person’s eyes in the face of a carnivore, or decide what meal deal you want based on your new identity. Interactive responses offer the correct answer from a list of menu selections. Choose what you think you’d like to eat and learn why you would or would not like the meal you’ve chosen.
Step into the shark cage and come face to face with a 15-foot Great White shark, then, stare into the eyes of a velociraptor, one of the most feared dinosaurs of all time, and uncover the truth behind these creatures made famous by Hollywood.
Use your new knowledge in Making Connections between predators. Decide what senses each predator uses in tracking their prey and what weapons they use for capturing and killing.
Relive childhood memories and make new ones as you play Wolf Charades. See how canines communicate with body language and practice Wolf Charades with other visitors.
Now that you know how and why animals attack, how can you protect yourself? See how “playing opossum” can save your life, making noise can divert danger and wearing a mask can protect against attack. Put your knowledge to use and make a mask like the ones that may protect against Bengal Tiger attacks
“Predators” will remain on display until Jan. 10, 2010.
Museum hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily. Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and $7 for children ages 5-12.
For more information, call 423-439-3659 or visit grayfossilmuseum.com.
--------GoTriCities--------
“Predators”
WHEN: Sept. 26, 2009-Jan. 10, 2010
WHERE: East Tennessee State University and General Shale Brick Natural History Museum and Visitor Center at the Gray Fossil Site
COST: $10, adults; $9, seniors; $7, children ages 5-12.
CONTACT: 866-202-6223, grayfossilmuseum.com
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