Museum ‘Science Café’ Feb. 18 explores dogs’ loyalty to owners
February 5th, 2013GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The saying “a dog is man’s best friend” can been traced to the early 1800s, but today the relationship is a reciprocal one in some cultures.
“Why Our Dogs Love Us So” is the topic of the Florida Museum of Natural History’s next “Science Café,” beginning at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 18 at Saboré restaurant, 13005 SW First Road, Suite 129 in Town of Tioga.
Clive D. L. Wynne, professor with the University of Florida department of psychology, will discuss the history of dogs, why they are sensitive to people’s actions and how dogs live in different cultures. (more…)
Feb. 15 school holiday camp features geocaching, voyages of discovery
February 4th, 2013GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Students in grades K-5 can embark on an adventure at the Florida Museum of Natural History’s “Voyages of Discovery” school holiday camp Feb. 15.
Campers will have the opportunity to participate in a geocaching activity in the University of Florida Natural Area Teaching Lab behind the museum and learn how to make discoveries their backyards. Other topics include trips of discovery including travel to the moon, the Lewis and Clark expedition and Darwin’s exploration of the Galapagos Islands, said Florida Museum education assistant Tiffany Ireland. (more…)
Carr Medal winner Nalini Nadkarni of Utah to speak Monday at Florida Museum
January 26th, 2013
Nalini Nadkarni, 2013 recipient of the Florida Museum of Natural History’s Archie F. Carr Medal.
Photo courtesy of University of Utah
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — University of Utah professor Nalini Nadkarni took science into prisons where she demonstrated the rehabilitative properties of inmates working with plants.
Her work with this project and other innovative studies led to her selection as the 2013 recipient of the Florida Museum of Natural History’s Archie F. Carr Medal. She will discuss her research during a free public program at the museum from 4 to 5 p.m. Monday before receiving the award. (more…)
Record diversity of ancient crustaceans may provide clues for fate of today’s reef crabs
January 24th, 2013
Adiël Klompmaker is pictured in front of the abandoned Koskobilo quarry in Spain, where he discovered a record number of hermit crabs and squat lobsters from the Cretaceous period 144 to 66 million years ago.
Photo courtesy of Adiël Klompmaker
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A University of Florida scientist has discovered a record biodiversity hotspot in Spain for 100-million-year-old crustaceans with possible implications for present-day species living in reefs, which are declining worldwide.
Decapod crustaceans, including crabs, shrimp and lobsters, are vital parts of the food chain, contributing to reef health and serving as food for many larger marine organisms. Study of their early evolution may help researchers better understand how present-day species are affected by reefs declining due to changes such as ocean acidification and coral bleaching, which also threaten the animals they support. (more…)
New study shows small cookiecutter shark feeds on flesh of great white
January 23rd, 2013GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Researchers have discovered the great white shark, one of the most feared ocean predators, can occasionally become prey for the mysterious cookiecutter shark, a lone predator one-tenth its size.
This cookiecutter shark was spotted at night in deep water near Hawaii and represents one of the only images of the fish taken in the wild.
Photo by J. Lambus Photography
When feeding, the cookiecutter shark bites its victim and then rotates to remove a plug of flesh, often leaving large prey injured but alive. A team of scientists including a University of Florida researcher documents the first evidence of a cookiecutter bite on a great white shark in a study appearing online and in the January print issue of Pacific Science.
‘Monster Snake’ size of school bus slithers into Museum Jan. 26
January 19th, 2013Opening day features film screening, members of discovery team, family fun
Editors: A complete list of opening day activities follows this release
At 48 feet long and 2,500 pounds, Titanoboa cerrejonensis ruled the jungles of South America
60 million years ago.
©2012 SNI/SI Network, LLC
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — See the largest snake that ever roamed the Earth at the Florida Museum of Natural History during the opening of “Titanoboa: Monster Snake” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 26.
Activities range from screenings of the Smithsonian Channel documentary to a panel discussion and individual presentations by scientists who discovered fossils of the 2,500-pound reptile in a Colombian coal mine in 2004. (more…)
Florida Museum offers volunteer orientation Jan. 23
January 17th, 2013GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Museum of Natural History will offer an orientation from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday for adults interested in volunteering at the museum.
Volunteers must be 18 or older and preregister to attend. More information is available online at http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/getinvolved/volunteers/adult-volunteer-orientation-registration/or by emailing Amy Hester, volunteer coordinator, at ahester@flmnh.ufl.edu.
Attendees can learn of the many volunteer opportunities the museum offers, including leading school groups and tours, speaking with visitors in the Butterfly Rainforest and other exhibits or working with scientists in the field or the collections.
Learn about past, future Antarctic explorations during Sunday presentation
January 15th, 2013
Glenn M. Stein, U.S. liaison for the project, will give a free presentation at the Florida Museum Sunday.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Discover the history of Antarctica and learn about the 2014 Imperial Trans-Antarctic Centenary Expedition 2014 Sunday at the Florida Museum of Natural History.
During the free program beginning at 2 p.m., Glenn M. Stein, U.S. liaison for the project, will discuss the history of the continent, effects of global warming, the incomplete first attempt to cross Antarctica by Sir Ernest Shackleton in 1914 and upcoming re-creation of the trip.
Celebrate the Florida Museum’s 34th Collectors Day Saturday
January 11th, 2013Editors: A list of collections follows this release. For more information, including contact information for collectors willing to speak with the media, please contact Paul Ramey, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu.
Photos Available
PEZ dispensers are one of the many collections to be displayed during the Florida Museum’s 34th Collectors Day Saturday Jan. 12.
Photo by Jeff Gage
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida Museum of Natural History visitors will be able to explore a variety of more than 70 collections during its 34thCollectors Day Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This free event allows visitors to speak with collectors and learn more about the history and context of their collections.
“This is a unique event that you can honestly say you will find something you like,” said Florida Museum education assistant Tiffany Ireland. “The collections include Corvettes, sports items, ice cream and Beatles memorabilia, vintage ads, antique tools, dolls, swizzle sticks and much more.” (more…)
Jan. 18 ‘Birds of Prey’ school holiday camp offers fun science education
January 3rd, 2013GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Soar with eagles and hunt with hawks at the Florida Museum of Natural History’s “Birds of Prey” school holiday camp Jan. 18.
The camp allows students enrolled in grades K-5 for the 2012-2013 school year to explore natural science with interactive activities and museum exhibits.
Students will learn how a variety of birds of prey, from bald eagles to owls, use their keen senses to hunt and survive in different environments.
“Campers will learn about the various birds and their role in our ecology,” said Florida Museum education assistant Tiffany Ireland. “We will discuss the different types of birds of prey and the specialized adaptations and behaviors they use for living in urban, rural and wild places.” (more…)