On Thursday, April 25, The Trust Family Foundation Shark and Ray Touch Tank will be closed until 1:00 p.m. for routine animal care.

Boston Explores! Week 3

Even though we may be spending more time at home, there are still ways to explore nature! Boston Public Library and the New England Aquarium are collaborating to bring Boston families weekly challenges to connect with nature either from a window at home, or your local park!

By New England Aquarium on Monday, September 14, 2020

Animals

There are a few animals that you are more likely to see around Boston: squirrels, turkeys, bees, gulls, and sparrows to name a few. The Aquarium is full of animals, some of which can be found locally (like the animals in our Gulf of Maine exhibit).

Challenge:

There are many different animals that call Boston home. Choose a few days this week to observe animals in your neighborhood (we recommend the same time in the morning or the evening, or both). Birdwatching is a great activity that can easily be done from a window inside your home!

Materials Needed:

Pencil, paper, data sheet, and patience

Optional Materials:

Binoculars, camera, field ID, iNaturalist app

(If you don’t have binoculars you can also tape together two toilet paper tubes. While it won’t magnify what you see, it might help you block out distractions.)

Scientists ask lots of questions, try these out this week!

How many animals did you see this week?
How many different species of birds did you see this week?
What behaviors did you observe? (were they flying, jumping, eating, or making noises?)
What was the most unexpected animal that you observed?
Did you notice any places that had more animals than others?
Why do you think that is?
If you observed multiple times a day, was there a time when a particular animal was most active?
If you found an insect, does it have legs? How many?
If you found an insect, does it have wings?
What color(s) is your insect?
Do they burrow in the earth or crawl on the grass?