???Shell-a-brate??? the Terrific Turtles of Narragansett Bay this month at Save The Bay???s Exploration Center and Aquarium
“Phil” is an endangered Northern diamondback terrapin living at the Exploration Center and Rhode Island.
NEWPORT, R.I. ??? March 1, 2018 ??? Save The Bay???s Exploration Center and Aquarium will celebrate the turtles of Narragansett Bay throughout March with a series of ???Terrific Turtle???-themed activities. The Exploration Center, open 10 a.m. ??? 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday, is home to several native species of turtles, including the eastern painted turtle, terrapin and common snapping turtle. This month, guests can visit the turtles at the aquarium and participate in special activities highlighting the creatures??? unique features and habits.
???All of the turtles that inhabit the Exploration Center were rescued and would not have survived in the wild without the care of our aquarium staff,??? said Adam Kovarsky, aquarist and education specialist at Save The Bay. The aquarium???s two resident terrapin turtles, Phil and Jerry, are on the state???s endangered species list. A scavenger hunt will send participants searching for Bowser the snapping turtle???s food, and guests can craft their own turtle and hear the story ???Tudley Didn???t Know??? by John Himmelman.
Bowser, a common snapping turtle, was rescued when he washed up at Easton???s Beach, just about the size of a quarter. Save The Bay???s staff took him in, and he is now completely healthy and doing well in a new large tank donated by the New England Aquarium to give Bowser a habitat that fits his growing size. ???Bowser is a real mutant turtle; his front left hand has two extra fingers, making for a total of seven. This is??caused by a genetic mutation called polydactylism, which has the same effect in cats and humans??? said Kovarsky.
Guests can help feed Bowser and the other inhabitants of the Exploration Center at Feeding Frenzy from 5-6 p.m. on Thursday, March 15. This interactive feeding time experience gives guests a behind-the-scenes look at the creatures of the Exploration Center when they???re most active. Space for this event is limited and reservations must be made at
http://www.savebay.org/feedingfrenzy
The Exploration Center and Aquarium is located in the Easton???s Beach Rotunda at 175 Memorial Blvd. in Newport, Rhode Island. General admission is $8, and $7 for military and senior citizens. Save The Bay Family Members can enjoy FREE admission for two adults and up to four children. For more information about the Exploration Center and Aquarium, visit www.savebay.org/aquarium or call 401-324-6020.
?? ?? ??Founded in 1970, Save The Bay works to protect and improve Narragansett Bay and its watershed through advocacy, education, and restoration efforts. It envisions a fully swimmable, fishable, healthy Narragansett Bay, accessible to everyone and globally recognized as an environmental treasure.