The Electronic Newsletter of the California Academy of Sciences - February 2005

*~*~*~* Coming Attractions *~*~*

A TREASURE'S TROVE AWAITS!
Saturday and Sunday, January 29 and 30
10:30 am and 3 pm both days
Michael Stadther, author of the New York Times best-selling children's book, A Treasure’s Trove, will read from his popular new book at the Academy this Saturday and Sunday, January 29 & 30. A Treasure’s Trove is a beautifully illustrated fairy tale suitable for parents and children of all ages about the adventures of twelve forest creatures and the importance of saving our forests. The pages of the book hold clues to the locations of twelve gold tokens that are hidden across the continental United States. Readers who find these tokens can redeem them for animal-shaped jewels that are valued at one million dollars. Stadther will read from his new book at 10:30 am and 3 pm on both Saturday and Sunday. The twelve jewels will also be on display at the Academy for the weekend. The book will be available in the Academy store, and Stadther will be available to sign purchased copies. For more information, click here.

THE SOCIAL EVOLUTION OF JAZZ
Saturday, February 12, 1 pm
In honor of African-American Heritage Month, renowned jazz drummer Mr. E. W. Wainwright and his ensemble, The African Roots of Jazz, will take visitors on a musical journey that traces African-American musical forms, such as jazz, gospel, and spirituals, to their earliest beginnings in African cultures. The program will feature instrumental music, songs, theater performance, and audience participation.

COURTSHIP IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM
Monday, February 14, 12 - 1 pm
Celebrate Valentine's Day at the Academy! Learn about the diverse courtship behaviors used by other members of the animal kingdom and discover some of the unique strategies that animals employ for attracting a mate.

SKULL DETECTIVES
Saturday, February 5, 2-4 pm
Sunday, February 20, 2-4 pm
Dissect owl pellets with Academy naturalists. Learn how to use scientific keys to identify skulls, compare your bones with native herbivores, and prepare your own specimens to take home.

THIRD THURSDAY
Thursday, February 17, 5-9 pm
Enter to win FREE admission!
Have you been looking for love in all the wrong places? If you haven't felt romance in the air recently, try looking in the water! On Thursday, February 17, from 5-9 pm, head to the Academy and take some cues from the ocean's most amorous creatures. Flaunt your feathers with the African penguins, which mate for life, or pucker up with the cichlids, which frequently lock lips. Guys can take lessons from the male tarantulas, which perform dances for their mates, while ladies can learn how to sing electric love songs from the female knife fish. Visit these animals and thousands of their friends while sipping cocktails and listening to the soulful sounds of Brazilian jazz ensemble Boca do Rio. Academy naturalists will be on hand to point out particularly passionate animal behaviors, so grab some friends and check out the next Third Thursday at the California Academy of Sciences. Academy Bytes subscribers can enter to win free admission by responding to this email with "Third Thursday" in the subject line.

*~*~*~* Fun Facts and New Science News *~*~*~*

DID YOU KNOW? Cuttlefish and their octopus relatives are masters of disguise. They can reshape their boneless bodies and alter their skin color within a matter of seconds. Now scientists have discovered that this quick-change talent is critical for many would-be cuttlefish fathers. Giant Australian cuttlefish (Sepia apama) males battle over fertile females, then guard their mates jealously until it's egg laying time. To get in on the action, smaller males will impersonate females by hiding and recontouring some of their arms, as well as changing their spots. To learn more, check in at the Academy's This Week update.

Once a month, Academy Bytes brings you tidbits about the latest at the California Academy of Sciences; events, updates, and fun science facts. Questions? Contact the editor: Stephanie Greenman Stone (sstone@calacademy.org).