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The Junior Museum's First Mammal Exhibit In Over 15 Years by Kory Michael Aversa Coordinator of Marketing & Public Relations A collection of new animals will serve as the centerpiece for The Junior Museum's newest exhibit, African Safari, opening from January 31, 1998 until April 15, 1998. "Safari" will showcase the African Pygmy Hedgehog, the Ball Python, African Spur thighed Tortoises, African Bullfrogs African Clawed Frogs and Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches. The Museum's newest animal exhibit is accompanied by the new "Animals of Africa" workshop, updated animal presentations and related family activities. The African Pygmy Hedgehog, Atherix albiventris, is the first mammal in The Museum's living galleries since the early 1980s. Hedgehogs are an insectivorous mammal which protects itself by its spiny covering. Hundreds of spines, or modified hairs, cover the entire top portion of the animal, which helps prevent being eaten or harmed by predators. The hedgehog's natural diet includes insects and mealworms. The Ball Python, Python regis, is a member of the boa family from central Africa. The name "ball python" refers to the ball that the snake rolls into when threatened by predators. These snakes are nocturnal, and tend to hunt for rodents, birds and eggs as a source of food. The African Spur-Thighed Tortoises, Geochelone sulcata, are the largest mainland tortoises in the world. They live in the plains of Africa and eat herbs and plants. In recent years, these animals were killed for food and were becoming scarce. However, breeding in captivity has helped increase the numbers of these tortoises, making importation undesirable. African Safari is the third time in the last year that The Museum will debut new living animals. African Safari is much more extensive than our past changing animal exhibits. A host of new animals, combined with reading materials, maps, family activities and a new workshop will make this our most extensive new collection of animals in many years. Last year, The Museum opened exhibits featuring a baby musk turtle, a real bee-hive with living bees, and a collection of amphibians. The Museum is excited to announce that in late April/early May it will reopen the popular marine tank exhibit, and reintroduce the programs that accompany the tank. Admission for the general public for African Safari is free with a paid admission to The Museum. Regular admission is $3 per person, under two-years old is free, African Safari will be on exhibit until April 15, 1998. The Junior Museum is a hands-on, children's museum dedicated to teaching children and families about history, science and the arts. In 1999, The Junior Museum will move to a new building and become one of the largest hands-on museums in the United States. In cooperation with Troy United Ink Corp., a not-for-profit corporation 
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