Time for Desert! (you read that right)

Alley Pond Pioneers explored desert environments today and got to meet an animal that is well adapted for arid climates. Meeting Rosie, our Chilean Rose Tarantula, was certainly a thrilling experience! Did you know tarantulas turn their prey into a smoothie before they eat it?! It's true! And their fuzzy abdomen - that's actually a crucial defense mechanism that helps them avoid predators because, yes, there are animals that eat tarantulas! We wrapped up the day by making a DIY cactus out of some rocks, glue, and paint. All the fun of having a cactus, minus the spines!