New Exhibit Features Live Desert Animals

Nova Scotians can take a break from the cold winter weather by visiting a new exhibit about life in the desert at the Museum of Natural History.

The museum will host the newest Little Ray's Reptile Zoo exhibit, Life Under Fire: Life in the Desert from Jan. 19 to April 14.

"The Museum of Natural History is well known for giving Nova Scotians, young and old, a chance to learn about the natural habitats of wild fauna and flora in other parts of the world," said Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister Leonard Preyra. "This exciting exhibit offers Nova Scotians an opportunity to see live animals and their adaptations to conditions that are very different from what we are accustomed to seeing in the province."

Museum visitors can interact with a range of desert animals, including tortoises, chameleons, snakes, scorpions, budgies and more.

"We are super excited to be opening Living Under Fire: Life in the Desert at the Museum of Natural History," said Paul "Little Ray" Goulet of Little Ray's Reptile Zoo. "This is the most graphically stunning exhibit that we have with 11 live animal exhibits set into panels with incredible desert landscapes. As always, this exhibit will be interactive and educational.

"Don't miss this amazing opportunity to learn about life in the desert and interact with some wonderful creatures while learning about their survival strategies in some of the harshest conditions on earth."

Visitors can also attend live shows with staff from Little Ray's Reptile Zoo and ask questions about the animals. The shows will begin at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. from Tuesday to Friday, and 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The shows are included with museum admission.

The Museum of Natural History is located at 1747 Summer St. in Halifax.

For more information, go to nature.museum.gov.ns.ca.