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Photo: Jay Pierstorff |
Did you know that packrats were some of the very first curators? Much of our scientific knowledge about the Sonoran Desert can be attributed to packrats. And that alone is a reason to party! Need more reasons to party? In Spring 2018, the Museum is opening Packrat Playhouse - an indoor, family-friendly exhibit. Help us celebrate next Saturday, September 2, at Packrat Party (Cool Summer Nights) from 5-10 p.m. There will be free sweet treats, face painting, live music, a photo booth, and more!
Party Like a Packrat!
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Small animal room in the 1950's |
Happy 65th Birthday!
The Desert Museum is celebrating 65 years of wild fun! In 1952, William H. Carr founded the Museum with the support of his friend Arthur Pack. When Carr moved to Tucson in 1944, he found that there was limited knowledge of and appreciation for the desert in the community. His connections with local naturalists and the county led to the establishment of the Desert Museum. 65 years later, the Museum is recognized as one of the top ten zoological parks in the world. You can learn more about our history at Packrat Party next Saturday! View the Vignettes!
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Photo: Matthew Ramirez |
Vulture Awareness Day
Vultures have garnered perhaps the worst reputation of all birds worldwide.
They've been maligned in popular culture, blamed for killing cattle and blamed for stalking vulnerable prey. However, without the tidy housekeeping of vultures, any ecosystem would quickly be overrun by insects and disease. Next Saturday is Vulture Awareness Day. These birds fulfill an essential role in our environment and we are so grateful for that.
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Photo: ASDM/Kat Rumbley |
Curious Chicks
Baby quails are the cutest! The two new masked bobwhite quails are a few weeks old and can be seen in our Walk-In Mixed Species Aviary. You can only find this endangered species in the Sonoran Desert and semi-desert regions of southern Arizona and northern Sonora, Mexico. When you come visit, you may see the family group pecking at the ground. They are foraging for food, such as seeds, berries, and small insects. Make sure to come and visit the babies soon. They won't stay small for long! Watch Them Wobble!
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Photo: ASDM/Kat Rumbley |
Flower Friday
Don't the flowers on this fishhook barrel cactus (Ferocactus wislizeni) remind you of a desert sunset? This species of barrel cactus is found in south-central Arizona and northern Sonora, Mexico. These cacti are often called the "Compass Barrel," because some of the larger plants lean towards the southwest.
These fiery flowers are also an extremely popular pollinator pad for native bees. You can come see these bloomin' beauties all over Museum grounds this weekend.
Dig Deeper!
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IAC Volunteer: Jim Ewing |
Volunteer Viernes
Do you love spending time with birds, reptiles, and arthropods? Consider joining the Interpretative Animal Collection (IAC) volunteer team! IAC volunteers assist keepers with a variety of tasks including: cleaning animal enclosures, preparing favorite foods for our clever critters, and helping backstage at our live animal presentations. This is a very unique opportunity to experience working hands-on with native animals of the Sonoran Desert.
Volunteer Today!
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What's Going Down in the Desert?
- Creatures of the Night (August 26)
- Packrat Party (September 2)
- Creating Backyard Habitat (September 9)
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