Search Results for: blog naked mole rats

“Naked Mole-Rats”

My young daughter loves the zoo. We have been fortunate to travel to the Bronx Zoo, the Brookfield Zoo (see my blog: “Day Trip: Brookfield Zoo“), the Honolulu Zoo and other local zoos across the country. So imagine my surprise when I came across an ad for the Knoxville Zoo’s newest attraction. No, not a ferocious lion, or a unique red panda or a new dolphin exhibit, rather: “Naturally Naked Mole-Rats.” They are described as having “wrinkled, hot dog-shaped bodies” and are attracting thousands of spectators, especially kids who are mesmerized by the animal’s activities. The mole-rats are displayed in … Continue reading →

Seattle For Science Lovers

You’ve already seen the fish fly at the Pike Place Market and you have enough pictures of the Space Needle to last you a lifetime. So what does Seattle have to offer the parent looking to entertain their science-loving child? Here are some ideas: Pacific Science Center Nothing will delight your budding scientist more than a visit to the Pacific Science Center. The facility is home to not one, but two, IMAX theaters. There’s also a planetarium, robotic dinosaurs, a butterfly house and an insect village. For the budding broadcast journalist the Pacific Science Center has an in-house kid-friendly TV … Continue reading →

Kylie Minogue Separates from Olivier Martinez

Kylie Minogue has split from her actor boyfriend Olivier Martinez. The two have been together four years, which is almost like twenty-five by Hollywood standards. The couple released a statement saying the split was mutual, amicable, and the two remain close friends. If you are not familiar with Olivier Martinez’s work, he was in Before Night Falls and S.W.A.T., but I always remember him as the handsome roguish boyfriend in Unfaithful. Kyle has gone through quite a bit lately. She began her career in the 1980s when she was on an Australian soap opera called “Neighbours.” After that, she became … Continue reading →

Zoos in Winter

Many families think of a trip to the local Zoo as a purely summertime event but if you forgo the zoo during the winter months you may be missing out on an amazing family experience. First consider the zoo in the heart of the summer busy season: 1) Higher temperatures 2) Throngs of people 3) Lethargic animals 4) Traffic jams coming and going 5) Parking 1/2 mile from the entrance 6) (Often) higher “peak” prices 7) That hot zoo smell Many of these unsavory characteristics of a July or August trip to a zoo can be avoided by going in … Continue reading →

Celebrity Chimps Headed For Early Retirement

Retirement is supposed to be a happy time. You slave away for decades and spend your golden years basking in the glow of your achievements… that’s the way it’s supposed to work, right? Well, for two chimpanzees that appeared in numerous Hollywood movies and TV shows retirement is coming earlier than expected and is not without controversy. According to news reports, the chimps were removed from a ranch and will retire to a sanctuary to settle a lawsuit alleging animal cruelty. (Not exactly the way you want to end an illustrious career.) A representative from the Animal Legal defense Fund … Continue reading →