Photo: Dr. Lloyd Glenn Ingles © California Academy of Sciences


The California Academy of Sciences is home to the world’s largest collection of skulls, skeletons and other preserved samples of the southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis). Celebrate the 10th annual Sea Otter Awareness Week here at the Academy between September 23–29, 2012. Throughout the week, select research specimens will be on display in the Project Lab and sea otter-themed games and resources will be available in the Naturalist Center and the Early Explorers Cove (an activity area for children under five and their adult friends).
In addition, join us for the following activities:

• Sunday, Sept. 23, 2:30 pm: Science Story Adventures, featuring stories, games and crafts for children ages 4-8 in the Education Classroom.
• Tuesday, Sept. 25, 11:30 am and 2:00 pm, and Thursday, Sept. 27, 11:30 am: Specimen Spotlight, highlighting sea otter research specimens in the Naturalist Center.
• Thursday, Sept. 27, 6:00-10:00 pm: NightLife for ages 21 and up, showcasing sea otter skulls being prepared as specimens and a special table with biologists and specimens outside the Project Lab.
• Friday, Sept. 28, 11:00 am-4:00 pm: Naturalist Center Crafts. Make a sea otter kelp bed!

Check out this week’s featured specimen!

(Pictured below, really close up!)

Photo: Lovell and Libby Langstroth © California Academy of Sciences

Can you guess what it is?

Here are some hints:

• This animal is fairly sedentary.
• This animal can help scientists determine if water is polluted based on its behavior.

Leave us a comment with your answer! Then come see us in the Classroom on Sunday, September 23rd at 2:30 pm for Science Story Adventures to see if you’re right and to learn more about this animal. Science Story Adventures is our program for children ages 4 – 8 and their caregivers. In the program, we explore the natural world through stories, specimens, games and crafts.

Our favorite alligator, Claude, turns 17 this Saturday, Sept. 15. Help us celebrate his hatchday!

Photo: Ron DeCloux © California Academy of Sciences

Learn about alligators and how to tell them apart from crocodiles during our “Specimen Spotlight” program tomorrow, Sept. 13, at 11:30 am in the Naturalist Center. Stay afterward to play games and browse books featuring crocodilians, reptiles whose ancient ancestors date back to the time of the dinosaurs.

Stop by the Naturalist Center anytime between 11 am-4 pm on Friday, Sept. 14, to make a very fashionable Claude hat for this week’s “Naturalist Center Craft.” Be sure to wear it proudly around the museum after you’re done!

Photo: N. Sincero © California Academy of Sciences