‘Staying Alive’ is exhibition now open at OMSI

INCLUDES LIVELY VIDEO | No stuffed animals here – see why outer East Portland families are taking in this unique exhibit, now, during the Holidays, at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry …

Families take in OMSI’s newest exhibition, Staying Alive: Defenses of the Animal Kingdom, which features live animals.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Recently the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), opened their latest exhibition – Staying Alive: Defenses of the Animal Kingdom. This exhibit explores the many, the most extraordinary, and the unique science principles used by “Kingdom Animalia” for their own self-defense.

Showing visitors “Snap”, a 34-year-old ball python, OMSI Exhibit Lead Sara Marsano says that this snake curls into a tight ball to protect its vulnerable head and neck.

No dead critters on display
“This is an ‘all-live-animals’ exhibit,” pointed out OMSI Exhibit Lead, Animal Caretaker, and Educator, Sara Marsano.

“Created by the Foundation for Animal Rescue and Education, it’s particularly good for smaller children, because seeing living animals – observing their behavior up close – can really inspire their scientific curiosity and desire to learn,” Marsano told East Portland News.

Take a video tour of this unique exhibition:

“A major focus of this exhibition is conservation,” Marsano continued. “Our hope is that people can see these animals, fall in love with them, and decide that they want be part of taking care of them, right where they live, in the wild.”

This youngster is getting a glimpse of a Brazilian Three-Banded Armadillo – which protects itself with an armored shell.

Visitors will see over a dozen live animals, both common and exotic – including a spiky four-toed hedgehog, an armored three-banded armadillo, and a two-toed sloth lounging in its steam bath.

Folks are attracted to the steamy environment of the Linnaeus’s Two-Toed Sloth which lazily hangs around on a branch all day, leisurely dining on tender leaves, shoots, fruits, nuts, and berries.

Exhibit encourages conservation
“My favorite part of working with this exhibit is when I take out one of the creatures, like a snake or a tarantula, which people are generally afraid of,” Marsano commented. “After telling about the animal, I let them touch it. Most people discover that they’re actually amazing, not disgusting or frightening, animals,.”

Families strolling through Staying Alive: Defenses of the Animal Kingdom easily learn how animals protect themselves.

Staying Alive: Defenses of the Animal Kingdom exhibit will be on display through the winter holidays and into spring – and is expected to close next April. Exploring it is free with the museum admission. For ticket information, OMSI’s location, hours and days of operation, see their official website: CLICK HERE.

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