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Children, see, touch, and learn about beach creatures at Main Street

Sea creatures at Library

An audience of 120 sat with jaws agape and eyes wide open as they were introduced to whelk, diamond back terrapin, a sea star and an assortment of crabs on July 20 at Main Street Library. The Beach Creatures program was free and open to the public as part of the Newport News Public Library System’s Summer Reading Program.

Virginia Aquarium Outreach Coordinator Courtney Obland explains the lives of beach creatures to a packed audience on July 20 at Main Street Library. The free program was one of many for the Newport News Public Library System’s Summer Reading Program.

An audience of 120 sat with jaws agape and eyes wide open as they were introduced to whelk, diamond back terrapin, a sea star and an assortment of crabs on July 20 at Main Street Library. The Beach Creatures program was free and open to the public as part of the Newport News Public Library System’s Summer Reading Program.

Virginia Aquarium Outreach Coordinator Courtney Obland set up a makeshift set of touch tanks in the children’s section of the Library and captivated the audience with fun facts and stories about the animals she brought with her. The children had the opportunity to learn the difference between invertebrate and vertebrate animals, why dolphins prefer to give birth in the Chesapeake Bay, and what kinds of creatures live in shells and why.

“It was great seeing a crab, and a turtle; I enjoyed it,” said Peta Martinez, age 5.

Obland brought a large conch shell with her, as well as a small conch-like shell to demonstrate the difference between those found in the Caribbean and those found in the Hampton Roads area. Inside the smaller shell dwelled the whelk, a sea snail native to the area.

A horseshoe crab, spider crab, and hermit crab also were available to see, learn about, and touch. The children were taught how to spot a male or female of each species, where they live, and what kind of life they have.

A sea star, or starfish, made the show as well.

To learn more about the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center please visit http://www.virginiaaquarium.com.

The Summer Reading Program, an annual event, runs through July 31, and participants can sign up anytime. The Summer Reading Program is made possible by the Friends of the Newport News Public Library. For more information, visit http://www.nngov.com/library/resources/srp.

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