by Mallory Vopal
The Carnegie Museum of Natural History has many rich and fascinating collections from around the world, but did you know that we also house a living collection of animals? Currently, we have several different live reptiles, as well as a few various invertebrates that serve as important public ambassadors to their wild counterparts. These special animals are selected for their good temperaments and significant connections they make with participants in many of the museum’s educational programs.
Arguably our cutest, and definitely our newest additions to the Living Collection are our two hatchling alligators, Albert and Alecia, who arrived onsite January 3rd. These animals have come to us through “Alligator Adventure,” a large reptile facility located in South Carolina. They are part of an agreement that we participate in, taking care of them as they are young, and returning them after we have had them for a year or two to be replaced by two new hatchlings. Admittedly, it’s hard not to become attached to them with those big eyes and tiny snouts! In the following weeks, I will be sure to update you on their encounters with visitors, as well as introduce you to the rest of our animals.
Mallory Vopal is Gallery Experience Manager at Carnegie Museum of Natural History and
also manages the Living Collection. Her animal husbandry background includes reptiles, birds, amphibians, mammals, and invertebrates.
