By Sara Thompson
Image credit is Anna Fantasia, an Explorit employee.
Special to The Enterprise
During the long President’s Day weekend visit Explorit to learn about the fascinating world of marine mammals. Guests will see displays and specimens of this unique group of animals. Included with admission, every family will receive a gift set including posters, cards, and a marine mammal plush, while supplies last. This special weekend event is available Friday, Feb. 14 from 1-4pm, and from 10am-2pm Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Feb. 15-17. Admission is $5 per person, Members and those aged 2 and under are free.
All mammal, whether they live on land, air, or sea are warm-blooded, have fur or hair, breathe air, give birth to live young, and nurse their young with produced milk. What makes marine mammals unique is their abilities to live most or all of their lives in the water. They have many interesting adaptations that allow for their aquatic lives.
Like all mammals, marine mammals have hair or fun covering their bodies. Some are very thick to help with keeping warm, others have fine hair that is barely visible, some are born with hair and later falls off. And some, like whales, have stiff hair follicles similar to whiskers that are surrounded by nerves and help with their underwater senses. For warmth, many marine mammals have a thick layer of fat under their skin called blubber, that keeps their organs warm from the cold water. Marine mammals also have a higher ratio of blood in their bodies compared to land mammals. This allows for more oxygen to be carried through their bodies and stored for extended periods underwater. They also have the ability to slow their heartbeats to use less oxygen as they dive.
There are also several individual adaptations that different species have evolved for survival. Cetaceans are whales and porpoises and live exclusively in the water from birth to death. Sirenians also spend their whole lives in the water, and this group is made up of manatees and dugongs. Pinnipeds are seals, sea lions, and walruses, and have adapted the ability to move around on land but are much more graceful and faster in the water. Sea otters are the smallest marine mammal and even though has the capability to walk on land, prefers the ocean. Because it relies on the ocean for the majority of its food, the polar bear is also considered a marine mammal.
We hope to see you at Explorit while we celebrate Marine Mammals. Friday, Feb. 14 from 1-4pm, and from 10am-2pm Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Feb. 15-17. Admission is $5 per person, Members and those aged 2 and under are free. Gift set while supplies last.
Explorit's coming events:
• Explorit is open Fridays from 1-4pm and Saturday and Sundays from 10am-2pm. The current exhibit is “Blast Off! A Journey Through Our Solar System”. Admission is $5 per person, free for Explorit Members and those aged 2 and under.
• Find Explorit at the City of Davis Children’s Summer Activity Fair on Wednesday, February 19, from 5:30-7:00pm at the Veterans Memorial Center. Check out our booth and see what we have to offer for summer science camps for kids entering grades kindergarten-5th grade next school year.
• Now is a great time to donate and help Explorit continue to educate and inspire the scientists of tomorrow: https://www.explorit.org/donate
• An Explorit Membership grants the recipient free visits to Explorit’s regular public hours, discounts on events, summer camps and workshops, and gives you ASTC benefits to visit other museums throughout the world. To purchase or for more information visit https://www.explorit.org/membership or call Explorit at 530-756-0191.
• Celebrate your birthday at Explorit! Offered Saturdays and Sundays between 2-4pm, this two hour program includes themed group activities and crafts, a decorated party room, and exclusive access to Explorit’s Exploration Gallery. Themes include Amazing Animals, Dynamic Dinosaurs, and Blast Off! Space. Call 530-756-0191 to reserve. More information found at https://www.explorit.org/birthday-parties.
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