The holidays are over. The crowds have gone home. It's cold outside. What better time to visit the warm, quiet Tropical Butterfly House? And this time of year, guests can observe an interesting phenomenon in the late afternoon.
Ever wonder if butterflies sleep? And if they sleep - where? It may seem like a simple question but it is one frequently asked by our younger guests. The answer is "Yes, butterflies typically sleep when the sun goes down and they often sleep in same species groupings.”
Next time you visit the Tropical Butterfly House in the dead of winter, drop by at the end of the day before Pacific Science Center closes. Because the sun sets early this time of year, you should have a good opportunity to see butterflies roosting. Look up high in the treetops and under leaves. Sometimes you'll see mixed species sleeping together but most often a specific species will take over a limb or an entire plant.
For more information and to view a short video about butterfly roosting at the Reiman Gardens of Iowa State University go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgE5ROnLC8Y
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