Opening May 22, 2010!

Where does a chipmunk sleep? What does an eagle feed its young? How do mother bats find their babies in a cave?  In Animal Secrets, visitors to will learn the answers to these questions and more as they explore the hidden habitats and secret lives of forest animals.

Animal Secrets builds on children’s natural curiosity about the world around them and helps foster a sense of wonder about nature. The exhibit is designed to encourage family learning and to help young children develop science skills through play and exploration.  The exhibit also offers parents tips on how to encourage their children’s interest in science.

In Animal Secrets, visitors discover nature from an animal’s point of view as they explore a stream, meadow, woodland, cave and naturalists’ tent.  Visitors see the world from an eagle’s nest, pretend to be a chipmunk and gather food for the winter, and help a raccoon family escape from a hungry fox!  Then, visitors can play the role of a naturalist and discover more about the animals that live in the woods by examining tracks, skulls, fur, bones and other real specimens.

Using imaginative role-play and hands-on activities, visitors can explore Animal Secrets in five naturalistic environments: stream, woodland, meadow, cave and naturalists’ tent.

Animal Secrets was produced and is toured by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Portland, Oregon.  The exhibit was made possible with funds provided by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Additional support provided by the Collins Foundation and Meyer Memorial Trust.

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