Beavers are completely designed for life around the water. They have special membranes across their eyes that act like goggles. Their fur is waterproof. Their feet, back feet, are webbed and they’ve got that flat tail that acts like a rudder.
Artifact of the Month: Mystery Object Revealed!
New Exhibition: Forests of Fortune
VIDEO: Lorikeets
Artifact of the Month: Rotary Dial Telephone
Union Bank Gifts Turtle Bay with $5,000 Donation
Turtle Bay Exploration Park will be FREE to Kool April Nites attendees on Saturday, April 27, 2019, thanks to a generous donation from Union Bank.
Oh, What A Night! Turtle Bay Auction 2019
More than 400 community members gathered this weekend for Turtle Bay Exploration Park’s Jeans, Jewels & Jazz Auction, held March 23, 2019 at Redding Civic Auditorium. The event, themed to the classic film “American Graffiti”, is Turtle Bay’s biggest fundraiser of the year and features live & silent auctions, raffle giveaways and more.
VIDEO: Laughing Kookaburra
Mosaic Gallery: Janet Turner
The Mosaic Gallery in the Mosaic Restaurant features quarterly exhibitions of work from Northstate artists organized by Turtle Bay Exploration Park. It operates as a sale gallery to support local artists and arts education at Turtle Bay. Featured Artist: Janet Turner - Painter, Printmaker, Educator, International Art Ambassador, and North State Art Legend
VIDEO: Flooding at the Sundial Bridge
Between wildfires, snow storms, power outages, and heavy rainfall, the North State seen and experienced it all. Despite these challenges, today’s sunshine reminds us how beautiful our region truly is. As the Sacramento River levels rise, we are also reminded how strong and powerful our great natural resources are. Thankfully, the Sundial Bridge and surrounded areas were designed to withstand seasonal changes such as flooding. The Turtle Bay Museum and Forest Camp are safe and accessible to park guests, while the Gardens will remain closed due to tree damage from the snow.
Artifact of the Month: Match Safes
These mystery objects were on fire during February, overwhelmingly winning this month’s slot for Artifact of the Month! Some folks may have guessed that these little, metal boxes were lighters, which is not too far off since they are indeed associated with making fire. However, these diverse artifacts are all various types of match safes.
A Spirited Night: Last Call Reception Event
VIDEO: Turtles
New Exhibition: Roots of Wisdom
VIDEO: Striped Skunk
Skunks are known for their stinky odor, but did you know that they only spray if they think their life is in danger? When skunks are afraid, they stomp their feet, backup, and scrape the ground to warn predators that they mean business. They can spray their pungent odor up to 14 feet in a stream or a mist.
VIDEO: American Badger
VIDEO: Turkey Vulture
Vultures are the single most important scavengers in the world. Turkey vultures are able to consume so many different types of viruses and bacterias that would normally kill other animals. Things like salmonella, anthrax, and even botulism. Because of this incredible immune system, vultures are really important with keeping us healthy.
Artifact of the Month: Turkana Head Rest
This “mystery object” received an overwhelming number of votes in our visitor poll! A mystery no more, this head rest was accessioned into the Turtle Bay museum collection in 1978 with the description, “head rest from the Turkana culture of Northwestern Kenya; used to protect hairdos while sleeping and to keep bugs from getting into hair; carried with a sash worn around the waist and is sometimes used as a stool.” So, now you know!
