New traveling exhibit, Reptile Planet, opens Monday, July 5 featuring 30 exotic critters

BUY TICKETS TO REPTILE PLANET HERE

Live reptiles are creeping, crawling and slithering their way into the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center! Opening Monday, July 5 is the Exploreum’s newest traveling exhibit, Reptile Planet, which is an interactive, family-friendly exhibit featuring 30 exotic creatures from more than 20 different countries.

The exhibit will allow visitors to get up close and personal with exotic creatures such as the Asian Cobra, Burmese Python, American Alligator, Star Tortoise and Gila Monster. Children will also enjoy the many hands-on components of the exhibit. Kids can climb inside a replica of a giant Galapagos Tortoise shell or spin a zoetrope to observe how Sidewinder Rattlesnake moves across the desert sand. There will also be feeding demonstrations, photo opportunities and many other hands-on games and activities.

“This exhibit is a great opportunity for both kids and kids-at-heart to better understand these often-feared creatures,” said Exploreum Assistant Director Caroline Etherton. “Reptile Planet will be another highly-entertaining exhibit for the community.”

While visiting Reptile Planet, guests can continue their exploration of the globe with a choice of three exciting IMAX films in the J.L. Bedsole IMAX Dome Theatre. Adventures in Wild California, Dolphins and Everest are edge-of-your-seat films that take viewers from the depths of the oceans to the tip of Mount Everest. The Exploreum is also offering a special IMAX Frequent Flyer program that allows guests to view all three films for the price of two. Visit www.exploreum.com for more information and show times.

Admission prices for Reptile Planet are included in general Exploreum admission. Exhibit tickets are $13.00 for adults, $11.50 for youth/seniors and $11.00 for children. Combo tickets, which include an IMAX film, are $17.00 for adults, $16.00 for youth/seniors and $14.50 for children. Exploreum members pay only $1.25 per member to see the exhibit.

During Reptile Planet, the Exploreum is offering themed “Reptile Romp” birthday parties. The party includes themed decorations, a themed cake and party favors for guests to take home! Birthday attendees will learn about snake biology and then become different parts of a snake, moving in a very unique snake-conga line! Interested individuals should call (251) 208-6879 to check availability for the Reptile Romp party.

Sponsored by RBC Bank, Delaney Development and CORT Business Services, Reptile Planet will run through Oct. 24. Adventures in Wild California and Everest will show through Oct. 1, while Dolphins will play until Nov. 5. Another traveling exhibit, called See the Bigger Picture and sponsored by Airbus, will be on display from Sept. 25 - Nov. 21 and features winning photographs on biodiversity taken from children all over the world. A local version of the biodiversity photo contest, presented by Airbus and Calagaz Photo, is now accepting online entries at Calagaz.com.

Exploreum members can take full advantage of Reptile Planet at a significantly discounted rate. Family memberships are available for only $100, and they include unlimited visits to the Exploreum, FREE tickets for friends, discounts on IMAX films, gift shop purchases, camps, birthday parties and more. The Exploreum is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon until 5 p.m. For more information on the Gulf Coast Exploreum, visit www.exploreum.com.