Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Help Us Name Our Snake


While you read about our new corn snake’s adventures, you may have been asking yourself whether our new corn snake has a name, or whether we just call him ‘hey, you’.

The answer is, we have several naming ideas but not everyone agrees on which one is best.



Choice # 1 – Nacho.

Why we like it: The scientific name for corn, Zea mays, already inspired the names for our corn snakes, Zea and Maizy. We were going to stop with the food names but Tillamook came with his name, and his rich orange color makes it very appropriate. With corn and cheese names already spoken for, Nacho seemed like a natural to combine the two themes.

Problems with it: It makes some staff members hungry. Since it is never appropriate to eat while handling animals, we just have to stay hungry till our work is finished. Is Nacho too corny a name? Too cheesy?


Choice # 2 - Checkers

Why we like it: If you look closely at the underside of the corn snake, you notice perfect little black and white squares that form a perfect checkerboard motif. This pattern is quite unlike the markings on our other two snakes.

Problems with it: There is already a famous historical dog who was named Checkers. For some, the connection is too strong to use the name on a different species.

What do you think? Please give us your comments on the names – or your write-in candidate not on our list. Don’t let our little corn snake go nameless.

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Saturday, December 4, 2010

The Ballad of Rachael Shoulder


Thanksgiving in Seattle was preceded by a crippling snowstorm, causing all sorts of logistical problems for Life Sciences department staff who couldn’t get in to work. Fortunately, manager Sarah Moore had conducted an Inclement Weather Planning training just the week before. One of the trainees, Rachael Shoulder, lives near Pacific Science Center and was available to put her skills to work. Rachael’s heroic efforts inspired Sarah to write an epic “Thank You” reproduced below.


“Rachael waded in through the snow to help Adrian with his tasks. She was also in two Saturdays in a row to help Maida with the super-cleaning process for the naked mole-rats. Rachael, you are either at the top of the list of folks to call when we are in need or you’ve done so much that you are ready for a break. You will still be forever on our honor roll.” – Sarah Moore

The Ballad of Rachael Shoulder

The wind was blowing, the sky was snowing
The air was constantly growing colder
Most people were stranded in their homes
Except for Rachael Shoulder!

She put on snow boots and a thick coat
And walked outside – few were ever bolder
She went to work and she lent a hand
And she made our day, that Rachael Shoulder



She knew there were pupae to be pinned
She knew – for Adrian had told her –
That without her help it could not get done
But it did get done, thanks to Rachael Shoulder

When Maida had some tubes to clean
And a mole-rat mom needing someone to hold her
She didn’t panic or run and scream
She knew she could count on Rachael Shoulder.

Our whole department sings your praise
So I’ll say it before I get any older
We think you’re the best and we give our thanks
You’re our hero, Rachael Shoulder.

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Friday, December 3, 2010

Fresh Sheet – December 3, 2010


A big shipment of pupae arrived this week with over half of them from the Genus Heliconius. Visit these New World butterflies at our Tropical Butterfly House and see if you can recognize the many different species.

Costa Rica

11 - Archeoprepona demophon (One-spotted Prepona)
06 - Battus polydamas (Polydamus Swallowtail)
08 - Caligo memnon (Owl Butterfly)
22 - Catonephele numilia (Numilia)
10 - Consul fabius (Tiger Leafwing)
38 - Danaus plexippus (The Monarch)
36 - Dryadula phaetusa (Banded Orange Heliconian)
21 - Dryas iulia (Julia Longwing)
10 - Eueides aliphera (Aliphera Longwing)
05 - Greta oto (Glasswing)
31 - Heliconius charitonius (Zebra Longwing)
02 - Heliconius clysonymus (Clysonymus Longwing)
28 - Heliconius cydno (Cydno Longwing)
37 - Heliconius doris (Doris Longwing)
58 - Heliconius hecale (Tiger Longwing)
41 - Heliconius ismenius (Ismenius Longwing)
15 - Heliconius melpomene (Postman)
08 - Heliconius sapho (Sapho Longwing)
10 - Heliconius sara (Sara Longwing)
22 - Heraclides anchisiades (Ruby-spotted Swallowtail)
15 - Hypna clytemnestra (Silver-studded Leafwing)
28 - Morpho peleides (Blue Morpho)
08 - Papilio cresphontes (Giant Swallowtail)
34 - Siproeta stelenes(Malachite)
15 - Tithorea tarricina(Cream-Spotted Clearwing)

Total = 519

“Fresh Sheet” is our weekly shipment report of pupae on display in the emerging window. Visit Pacific Science Center’s Tropical Butterfly House and meet our newest residents.

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Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Atlas Moths


While the weather outside is … err … frightful this time of year, the Tropical Butterfly House is a balmy, relaxing sanctuary. Not only is it warm and toasty, we have just released four gorgeous atlas moths. This is very exciting for a number of reasons:


1. We haven’t had atlas moths at PSC in over two years! If you’ve never seen them before, it’s a must. If it’s been awhile, they’re probably even more beautiful than you remember.

2. Because they don’t have any mouthparts, atlas moths only live for about three to four days. We still have about four more chrysalides waiting to emerge. But any way you slice it, they won’t be here long.

3. Atlas moths have the largest wingspan of any insect - They each have a wingspan of about 6-7 inches.

The moths have been placed on larger trees where they can’t be touched. They may move at any time but they’re nocturnal so they shouldn’t go far unless provoked. Enjoy hunting for them when you visit, or ask a Science Interpreter for help.


PS Bring your camera! They’re very photogenic!

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