Stuffed Animal CARE-ium
A variety of plush toy animals await veterinarian care from youngsters in the “Stuffed Animal CARE-ium,” a special summer exhibit open from July 1 to Labor Day in The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk.
This fun and adorable exhibit will let young guests pretend to use the tools of real veterinarians to care for, diagnose and treat plush-animal patients. Interactive displays will let children choose a plush animal and then weigh it, take its blood pressure, bind a wound or even take an x-ray.
Other displays give young guests the chance to prepare “foods” for their animal, look through a microscope, and consider actual skeletons of the plush-animal species.
“The Stuffed Animal CARE-ium will be a great way to introduce to children the high level of care provided to the animals at The Maritime Aquarium,” said Exhibits Director Tom Frankie. “They may be inspired to become a veterinarian, marine biologist or doctor when they grow up. We also hope that, through the role playing in the exhibit, children will realize that there are exams common for both animals and humans, which will reduce any stress the next time they go to the doctor.”
The “Stuffed Animal CARE-ium” is best for ages 10 and under. Children must be accompanied in the exhibit by a parent or guardian.
Unfortunately, no matter the high level of medical care provided, the exhibit’s plush animals are not eligible for out-patient home treatment, and must remain in the “Stuffed Animal CARE-ium.” Children can bring their own plush animals into the exhibit, although certain “tests” will only work with toys provided by the Aquarium.
Albino Alligator
See a rare “great white of the wetlands” – an 8-foot albino alligator – in a special exhibit open from July 1 through Labor Day in The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk.
“In this, our 30th anniversary summer, we thought it only appropriate to bring back an exhibit that has been very popular with our guests in the past,” said Aquarium spokesman Dave Sigworth, referring to previous visits by albino alligators in 2005, 2008 and 2012.
Albino alligators are white because they lack the pigment called melanin that normally gives color to the skin, hair and eyes. Aside from being creamy white, they look and act like a regular gator.
Albino alligators are very rare because, when young in the wild, they’re more obvious to predators. Plus, white alligators can’t bask in the sun like normal alligators because they’re susceptible to sunburns. (The Aquarium’s visiting albino alligator will enjoy a special shaded enclosure out on the riverfront courtyard.)
These exhibits will be free with Aquarium admission. For more information, please click here.
The Maritime Aquarium
10 North Water Street
Norwalk, CT 06854