|
The pufferfish has a smile unlike any other fish! But watch out- when it feels threatened, the pufferfish fills its highly elastic stomach with water and inflates like a rubber ball. The spherical shape can get it up to three times its normal size, which is very effective to intimidate and drive away the enemy. In addition, the pufferfish is considered the second most poisonous vertebrate on Earth, and yet, its flesh is considered a delicacy in certain parts of the world. The Tetrodotoxin is a neurotoxin 1,200 times more deadly than cyanide, and just two grams is enough to kill a person.
Here’s a lesser known fact: Pufferfish are very curious and intelligent.
They can be taught tricks, learn to memorize different shapes and patterns, and recognize their owners. Many pufferfish caretakers have remarked how much they resemble small water puppies! They have also made great contributions to science being the first fish to have their whole genome sequenced. Their relatives include the great Mola mola, the spiny porcupinefish, and the interestingly shaped boxfish. Learning how pufferfish and relatives are “way cool” helps understand the diversity of these amazing animals, and how to help protect them.
Amy Liu is a self-proclaimed pufferfish (family Tetraodontiformes) enthusiast, and a masters student studying fishes and genetics at The University of British Columbia. She has worked with various organizations in science outreach such as the Vancouver Aquarium, Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology, and Parks Canada. Let us know if you'll be joining us!
| |
| In this video, Colin MacLeod describes his research on how climate change will affect the association between parasites and their hosts.
Researchers Revealed is an exciting new series profiling the research performed in UBC’s Biodiversity Research Centre. The series looks at new ways in which researchers harness technology to study the natural world in ways that were not possible before.
| |
|
Next Edition January 5, 2020
A FREE program for campus residents, these drop-in sessions are designed for children 5-12 years old accompanied by an adult (not suitable for preschool-aged children). All sessions will be held at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum, with experts from the Pacific Museum of Earth and around UBC making guest appearances.
Drop in between 10:30 am – 1:00 pm the first Sunday of the month to enjoy special activities for families plus all of our regular museum programming, Raising Big Blue movie, museum tours, and more. Nature Club participants are welcome to attend our Way Cool talk at 1:00pm!
Pre-registration highly encouraged both for children and adults! Drop-ins welcome as space permits. Thank you for pre-registering so that we can prepare for the number of children attending.
| |
| Membership
A Beaty Biodiversity Museum membership means joining and supporting a lively community of people inspired by biodiversity, engaged with the natural world, and dedicated to conservation.
About the Museum
The Beaty Biodiversity Museum is Vancouver's natural history museum, dedicated to building greater understanding, and a shared sense of community and wonder, around biodiversity.
| |
|
| Museum Hours:
Tuesday - Sunday
10:00am-5:00pm
Third Thursday of the month, museum open until 8:30pm with admission by donation after 5:00pm.
Closed on Mondays
Visit our website for more information and what's on at the museum.
| |
|
16 January 5:00pm - 8:30pm
Come by for a night at the museum!
Book Launch: Kingfisher and Polar Bear. Cash Bar event. Please bring Photo ID!
Ildiko Szabo, Collections Curator of the Cowan Tetrapod Collection at UBC’s Beaty Biodiversity Museum, and Margery Fee, Emerita Professor of English at the University of British Columbia will be talking about their newly released books: Kingfisher and Polar Bear.
Authors will be signing their books after the talk. All books will be available for purchase in our Gift Shop.
Admission by donation starting at 5:00pm. All ages welcome, drop in at any time!
| |
|
November 21, 2019 – April 19, 2020
| |
|
December 12, 2019 - August 23, 2020
| |
|
