The National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium in Dubuque, Iowa has developed a great new exhibit called ‘Turtles - Secrets of the Shell’ with over 200 turtles from 100 species on display, along with hands-on items and activities, graphics, and so on.
This is a great destination museum on its own, with 4 theaters including a 3D/4D theater, native animals displays, a wetlands on the grounds, a cool water-themed kids area, and more, but, as we all know, everything is better with red-footed tortoises in it!
I have to admit- based on what I usually see is zoos and nature centers, I was not expecting much but they really blew me away! A big space for radiated, leopard, and red-footed tortoises; a really cool tank for some Fly River turtles, and more. I saw a lot of species I have not actually seen before, including a Chinese big-headed turtle, a Chaco tortoise, and pancake tortoises. Of course, if I am being perfectly honest, there are also a lot of sliders, pond turtles, and such that are not quite as cool to me- but they are still turtles! (Some of the tortoises not on display included Sulcatas, padlopers, and the Madagascar species, but considering size or rarity, this is understandable.)
If you are anywhere near here (Dubuque Iowa is right where Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa meet), you should swing by. Admission is free or reduced if you belong to a reciprocal zoo or museum, or a standard, two-day pass is $15 for an adult, $13 for seniors over 65, and $10 for children 3-17. The display will be there until Thanksgiving, or maybe even get carried over for another year!
Some other cool things about the display-
- The Museum designed it itself- it is not a national travelling exhibit, but I have to say that the graphics, etc. are great!
- They have a lot more chelonians off-display so they can keep things balanced, rotate stressed animals, etc.
- They have red-footed tortoises.
- Many of the animals are on loan from zoos, nature centers, etc. around the world!
- As far as they know, they have the only other Mekong snail-eating turtle (Malayemys subtrijuga) in a similar collection... although theirs is housed in an off-exhibit breeding set-up.
- Some of the display is going to go on tour through Iowa at some point.
- They have red-footed tortoises that are smooth!
- Spring was a great time to be there- head-bobbing in desert tortoises (both male), an over-eager Blandings mating with a painted and with a reputation for going after everything in the display, mating painted turtles in an outside marsh display, and a random egg in a mixed tank of Southeast Asian side-necks
- During the summer months they have three live animal programs daily, where the public can get up close and personal with a live animal. While the turtle exhibit is here two of these daily programs will be starring a chelonian!
- Did I mention they have some red-footeds?
Photos to follow.
The Museum’s website is http://www.mississippirivermuseum.com
This is a great destination museum on its own, with 4 theaters including a 3D/4D theater, native animals displays, a wetlands on the grounds, a cool water-themed kids area, and more, but, as we all know, everything is better with red-footed tortoises in it!
I have to admit- based on what I usually see is zoos and nature centers, I was not expecting much but they really blew me away! A big space for radiated, leopard, and red-footed tortoises; a really cool tank for some Fly River turtles, and more. I saw a lot of species I have not actually seen before, including a Chinese big-headed turtle, a Chaco tortoise, and pancake tortoises. Of course, if I am being perfectly honest, there are also a lot of sliders, pond turtles, and such that are not quite as cool to me- but they are still turtles! (Some of the tortoises not on display included Sulcatas, padlopers, and the Madagascar species, but considering size or rarity, this is understandable.)
If you are anywhere near here (Dubuque Iowa is right where Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa meet), you should swing by. Admission is free or reduced if you belong to a reciprocal zoo or museum, or a standard, two-day pass is $15 for an adult, $13 for seniors over 65, and $10 for children 3-17. The display will be there until Thanksgiving, or maybe even get carried over for another year!
Some other cool things about the display-
- The Museum designed it itself- it is not a national travelling exhibit, but I have to say that the graphics, etc. are great!
- They have a lot more chelonians off-display so they can keep things balanced, rotate stressed animals, etc.
- They have red-footed tortoises.
- Many of the animals are on loan from zoos, nature centers, etc. around the world!
- As far as they know, they have the only other Mekong snail-eating turtle (Malayemys subtrijuga) in a similar collection... although theirs is housed in an off-exhibit breeding set-up.
- Some of the display is going to go on tour through Iowa at some point.
- They have red-footed tortoises that are smooth!
- Spring was a great time to be there- head-bobbing in desert tortoises (both male), an over-eager Blandings mating with a painted and with a reputation for going after everything in the display, mating painted turtles in an outside marsh display, and a random egg in a mixed tank of Southeast Asian side-necks
- During the summer months they have three live animal programs daily, where the public can get up close and personal with a live animal. While the turtle exhibit is here two of these daily programs will be starring a chelonian!
- Did I mention they have some red-footeds?
Photos to follow.
The Museum’s website is http://www.mississippirivermuseum.com
