Your Most Asked Critter Cove Questions (and Our Wild Answers!)
Got questions about our amazing Critter Cove residents? You've come to the right place! Get ready for some fun facts and fascinating insights.
🌿 What exactly is Critter Cove all about?
Critter Cove is where the ancient past meets the amazing present! See the modern-day animals that share common ancestors with prehistoric creatures of the Cretaceous. It's all about how everything on Earth is connected – from the tiniest bug to us!
✌️ Can we really touch the animals in the Touch Tank?
Our touch tank is JUST about ready to be interactive! Once that happens - the answer is yes! You can touch the creatures, but with an important rule: the two-finger touch! This gentle method protects our creatures like sea stars and whelks. Sometimes, we'll temporarily close the Touch Tank for hands-on interaction. This happens when we're introducing new animals or ensuring our residents are extra comfortable. It's all about keeping our underwater friends happy and healthy, and it's a great lesson in how delicate these ecosystems are! Even when you can't touch, you'll still get to witness fascinating behaviors like sea stars eating by turning their stomachs inside out!
⭐ Wait - sea stars really eat by turning their stomachs inside out?!
YES! It sounds wild, but it's true! Sea stars’ mouths are on the underside of their bodies. When they want to eat a clam, they push their stomach out, slurp up the good stuff, and then pull it back in. It's truly one of nature's most bizarre (and fascinating) eating habits!
🦎 Is that a real-life dragon I see (or hear!) in there?
You're not wrong! We're thrilled to introduce our magnificent new monitor lizard! He's currently settling into his swanky new space and getting more comfortable every day. He might be a bit shy at first, so we will keep some of his exhibit covered while he adjusts (it's a big new world!), but keep an eye out for his stealthy movements as he prepares for his grand debut in a fully decorated habitat!
🐀 Why do we have rats at Critter Cove?
Our rats are here for a fascinating reason — they’re not just smart, curious, and social, but they’re also a living link to our own evolutionary story. Humans and rats share a common ancestor: a small, resilient mammal that lived during the time of the dinosaurs. That tiny creature survived the asteroid impact and eventually gave rise to the wide variety of mammals we see today, including us!
Our rats help us teach about animal intelligence, behavior, and the vital role every species plays in the web of life. We know some people feel unsure around rats, but these little guys are surprisingly clean, love to groom themselves and each other, and are full of personality. We hope their playful antics will help change how you see them!
🐢 What's the story with the sideneck turtle? When can I see her?
Our amazing sideneck turtle is a unique individual, taking a little extra time to get her habitat just right. She's a semi-aquatic species, meaning she needs both water and land areas, and she's getting a custom home. The cool thing about her is how she tucks her head into her shell – she turns it to the side, unlike most turtles that pull it straight back! She'll be ready to meet you very soon!
🪲 What makes your bugs so special?
Our bugs are super cool. They're tiny titans with fascinating roles in ecosystems. For example, our Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches and Giant African Millipedes are "detritivores" – nature's very own cleanup crew, munching on decaying matter to keep things tidy. We even feed them organic fruits and veggies! You might also spot dazzling diving beetles with their "scuba tanks" or witness the bizarre territorial dances of the hissing cockroaches.
🧬 Are there any secret connections between all the animals in Critter Cove?
Absolutely! That's the whole point! When you walk in, you'll see our "How Are We All Connected?" sign and a phylogenetic tree. It shows that every living thing on Earth, including us, shares a common ancestor. You'll see how our monitor lizard connects to the prehistoric mosasaur, our sideneck turtle to ancient species, and even how rats are our surprisingly close cousins! It's all about the amazing story of evolution!