The Catawba Science Center is offering a fun and memorable exhibit about butterflies now through September 4, 2016.
I’ll be honest. I was not sure what to expect when we decided to visit the Flutter-By exhibit at Catawba Science Center. I assumed we would be searching for butterflies hidden in bushes and plants when we arrived. Instead, my girls and I entered through heavy, green plastic panels into a world of fluttering and softness at the local butterfly exhibit. The open-air but covered area was a-flutter with many different species of butterflies. We immediately walked to our left where two smiling volunteers were standing with spray bottles of sugar water. They were friendly and kind as they instructed my girls to stick out their small hands for a generous spraying of the sweet water that would attract the butterflies.
We walked around the small but lush garden of beautiful plants and numerous species of butterflies to wait for one to land on their little hands. Eventually, the butterflies took notice, and my girls were shivering with excitement when not one but three landed on their hands… and hair! The colorful butterflies seemed content on their hands for at least ten minutes as we continued to walk through the small garden to learn about these beautiful insects. Did you know that butterflies taste through their legs? Or that adult butterflies only live two to three weeks? Short, but educational plaques posted throughout the gardens taught us interesting butterfly facts like these. The volunteers were great to offer a quick fact or name the particular species that was on my girls’ hands at the moment. I noticed squeals and smiles from kids and adults alike when a butterfly decided to land on them and rest for a moment. The beautiful and non-intimidating creatures provided a wonderful experience for all ages, especially my young children.
Before we left, we checked out the butterfly nursery situated behind the volunteers. It educates all visitors on the life cycle of the butterfly. There are many North Carolina native butterflies including Monarchs, Swallowtails, and Fritillaries. There are also semitropical species such as Zebra Long Wing, Julia, and Queen Butterflies.
If you decide to check out this amazing exhibit at the Catawba Science Center, admission to the Flutter-By Butterfly Habitat is free for CSC members. The cost of general admission for non-members visitors is as follows (plus $1.00 for the Flutter-By Habitat):
Nonmember Admission Pricing:
Adult $8.00
Senior (62+) $6.00
Youth (3 – 18) $6.00
Children (under 3) Free
Student (with ID) $6.00
Active Military (with ID) $6.00
Group Rate (10 or more) $6.00
Catawba Science Center is located on the SALT Block, 243 Third Avenue NE, Hickory.
Public Hours:
Tuesday – Friday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
CSC’s Flutter-By Butterfly Habitat, which will continue through September 4th, is sponsored by Alex Lee, Lowes Foods, MDI, and Supporters of Catawba Science Center’s 2016 Italian Dinner Fund-A-Cause.
Visit www.catawbascience.org for more details or call (828) 322-8169.
Enter to win one of two family four-packs of passes to Catawba Science Center!
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