Virtual Astronomy Days: 2022 Venus

Meet Venus, Earth’s hot twin, during Museum’s Virtual Astronomy Days, January 24-30

January 21, 2022

RALEIGH, N.C. — Venus is Earth’s closest planetary neighbor and has a similar size and density to Earth, leading many to refer to the two planets as sisters or twins. But since Venus is perpetually shrouded in thick, yellowish clouds of sulfuric acid that trap heat, its surface temperatures are hot enough to melt lead… Read More >


Larval stage of Laemophloeus biguttatus

Scientists Find Previously Unknown Jumping Behavior in Insects

January 19, 2022

Laemophloeus biguttatus larvae at various stages of their jump (top three images); motion-capture of a jump (bottom image). Image credit: Matt Bertone. A team of researchers has discovered a jumping behavior that is entirely new to insect larvae, and there is evidence that it is occurring in a range of species – we just haven’t noticed it before. The previously… Read More >


State record snapping turtle in 2015. Photo: Karen Swain/NCMNS.

In memoriam: State record snapping turtle, longtime Museum resident, passes

January 14, 2022

The state record snapping turtle on exhibit in 2015. Photo: Karen Swain/NCMNS. After a lengthy battle with myriad health issues, the largest specimen of Chelydra serpentina (Common Snapping Turtle) known from North Carolina was humanely euthanized by the Museum’s Veterinary Sciences team on January 4, 2022. The specimen, a large (69.8 pounds) and probably very… Read More >


Winter wonderland – Rich Mountain Bald (within the Tater Hill Plant Preserve). Photo: Matt C. Estep.

Nature Now: Bald is Beautiful

January 13, 2022

Panoramic view from the top of Rich Mountain Bald (within Tater Hill Plant Preserve). Grandfather Mountain and the ski slopes can be seen in the background. Photo: Matt C. Estep. By Sophia Kirn, Senior at Appalachian State University and Naturalist Center Intern As a student at Appalachian State University, one of the biggest pastimes I… Read More >


Butterflies

Tropical Butterflies in Slow Motion & Behind the Scenes in the Conservatory!

December 16, 2021

Dr. Adrian Smith, Head of the Museum’s Evolutionary Biology & Behavior Lab, is out with a new video! The YouTube sensation filmed slow motion flight and time-lapse sequences of tropical butterflies emerging from their pupae, and taking flight, and gives a behind-the-scenes tour of our walk-in tropical dry forest exhibit. Check out naturalsciences.org/planyourvisit for info… Read More >