Come explore the incredible hidden world of New England caterpillars through hands-on, interactive activities that explore topics such as caterpillar anatomy, defensive adaptations, and shelter building.
To help protect themselves from predators, caterpillars can either blend in to their surroundings and be hard to find, or be bold to scare off potential predators. Try on fabric capes that represent actual caterpillar skins and textures, then experiment in front of a mirror with a variety of backdrops that represent caterpillar habitats and host plants. Will you blend in, or be bold?
Many New England caterpillars build shelters to stay safe and warm. Using materials that mimic natural materials caterpillars might use or create, build a shelter of your own. What will your shelter do for you?
Caterpillars are made up of basic body parts: a head, body, and tails. They can also have a variety of defensive adaptations such as horns, inflatable tails, false eye spots, and spines that make them unique. Explore some of the basic caterpillar parts and defensive adaptations while constructing a caterpillar that looks as unique as you. If you were a caterpillar, what would you look like?
Caterpillars leave behind all kinds of interesting specimens such as skins, cocoons, and even frass (poop!). Using magnifying glasses, take a close look at some of the fascinating features of caterpillars. What kinds of details will you notice?
