Friday, July 15, 2011

Find-Out Friday: Caterpillars

I was sucked into a TV infomercial. For just $19.95, you could watch caterpillars turn to butterflies in your own home! And, for a limited time only, you would not only get one jar but two! A total of ten caterpillars.

Sales pitch aside, I was sincerely interested in this setup. When an early teen, I used to work at the Hogle Zoo. Although that really just translated into volunteering to scoop poop and wash windows, I enjoyed each Saturday there because at the time I wanted to become a zookeeper. Near the end of my second year of volunteering, my job included standing as the "junior zookeeper"/informant in the new-at-the-time "butterfly building." You know, the glass house that has transformed from its original tropical butterfly house to a rare white alligator exhibit, among other things. While on shift, I was to stand guard near the chrysalises and explain what was happening to visitors. A few hours in front of those equaled witnessing alot of amazing transforming.

So, the chance to show that metamorphosis to my girls? Something to watch firsthand over the Summer? Of course! I got the setup from "livebutterflygarden.com" (supposedly $10 cheaper than their regular catalog site which also offers it and other neat insect kits).

Today, alone, the caterpillars have tripled in size. Each walk to the top of the container has the girls convinced they'll instantly change into chrysalis form. This will obviously be an ongoing find-out. I'll post pictures of the wings being officially released, I'm sure.

No comments:

Post a Comment