ANIMALS EXHIBIT CLOSES SUNDAY

Insects poised on trees throughout Davis are beginning to make a familiar noise. Woken early by the heat of the approaching summer, annual cicadas are starting to crawl from their underground refuge. This is also the last weekend of Explorit Science Center's "What An Animal! Fins and Feathers and Other Creature Features" exhibition. The exhibition examines animals' structure and behavior, encouraging visitors to discover the amazing ways animals accomplish tasks such as eating, hiding or hearing approaching predators.

The life cycle of cicadas is an impressive example of how animals' adaptations can help them survive. Cicada nymphs begin their life under the bark of a tree. Once the hatch they fall and burrow down into the ground near the tree. They have strong front legs used for digging that allow some species to descend eight feet into the ground. Underground the nymphs attach themselves to the tree's roots and feed off the nutrient rich juices. 

After a period of time that can range between two and seventeen years the nymphs emerge from the ground, molt and fly away. Carefully examining trees will often allow entomologists, both young and old, to find the final molt cicadas leave behind. The male cicadas then perch themselves on a tree and create that droning buzz which will help them attract a mate. It is interesting to note that some species of cicada only emerge every 13 or 17 years. Because these are prime numbers some scientists believe it is more difficult for a predator with a 3 or 5-year life cycle to rely on such an erratic food source.

"What an Animal!" highlights animals that have different yet equally amazing adaptations helping them survive. One living animal featured in the exhibition is a vinegaroon. Vinegaroons are related to scorpions and live in the deserts of Arizona. They protect themselves by spraying a highly acidic, vinegar like substance at predators. This is strong enough to warn off many creatures looking for a meal, including some larger ones like grasshopper mice.

Defense mechanisms are an important part of the exhibition. Just behind the vinegaroon visitors will find an animal that defends itself in a different way, a Vietnamese walking stick. These insects rely on their camouflage to protect them while they munch voraciously on juicy green leaves. Just a few feet from there guests can peer in at a large black widow, a Chilean rose tarantula and two creatures that have more than 200 feet each.

Nearby a salt water tank features many of the colorful and sometimes odd creatures that live in Bodega Bay. From there visitors may want to learn more about how animals that live both in and out of the water breathe. By examining the sheep lungs nearby and comparing them with the breathing apparatus's of other animals the differences and surprisingly similarities will become apparent.

Cicadas are interesting creatures with unique life cycles. The buzz they create to attract mates can sometimes reach more than 100 decibels in intensity - that's about the same as the noise from a nearby jackhammer. To learn more about the lives of other incredible creatures, both exotic and local, visit Explorit this weekend for a final chance to see the current exhibition, "What an Animal! Fins and Feathers and Other Creature Features."

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The Astronomy Club presents a free program tomorrow. "The Life Cycles of Stars" will be the topic starting at 7:30 p.m.

Club members will present a brief introduction to the life cycle of a star, from the stellar nursery through its eventual death. In addition to the talk, there will be a short video and a number of activities for kids and adults alike. Telescopes will be available for viewing the planets and stars after the talk.

The program is good for children and adults alike.

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Explorit Science Center is at 3141 Fifth St. in East Davis. The current exhibition "What an Animal! Fins and Feathers and Other Creature Features" ends Sunday, after which Explorit will be closed until the new exhibition, "Way to Grow: Health and the Human Body" opens Saturday, June 17. Public hours are Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday from 2 to 4:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.explorit.org or call Explorit at (530) 756-0191.