Albino Alligator "Pearl" visits Honey Horn

Pearl, the albino alligator from Gatorland in Orlando, Florida visited the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn last week. In an effort to educate visitors about the American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) Kenny Danberry from Gatorland visits the Coastal Discovery Museum every Thursday through August 13th sharing information about the biology and behavior of alligators, their threats to survival, alligator safety tips, and ways we can help protect this species. Getting to Know a Gator programs take place at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Horn Thursdays at 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 2:0o p.m.

Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos)

While walking the property at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn last week, our Manager of Natural History, Carlos Chacon, came upon an Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos) as it traveled through open areas on the property. Eastern Hognose Snakes occur throughout the southeast feeding primarily on toads. Natural predators of the Eastern Hognose Snake include other snakes, birds of prey, and carnivorous mammals. With numerous predators, the Eastern Hognose Snake has adapted unique responses to ward off potential threats. One of the most notable behaviors is 'playing dead' where the snake will roll over on its back pretending to be dead (seen in the picture below). Eastern Hognose Snakes will not intentionally bite people, however it is important to practice snake safety. Please be sure to keep a safe distance from snakes and please do not pursue or try to capture any snake.

Individuals can help protect snakes by being mindful of human impacts affecting their survival. Such impacts include habitat destruction, road mortality, and intentional killing of snakes. It is important to protect all snakes living in the southeast as they are vital components of the environment as both predators and prey. Snakes also serve as good indicators of the health of an ecosystem.

Karen Wertheimer Butterfly Enclosure

The Karen Wertheimer Butterfly Enclosure is now open at the Coastal Discovery Museum! Featuring native butterfly species, this 1,200 square foot outdoor enclosure contains both host and nectar plants to support butterflies throughout their life cycle. Visitors can search for tiny eggs amongst the host plants, watch as caterpillars consume as much as 30 times their own body weight in food, identify species based on the unique chrysalis they form, and observe adult butterflies fluttering throughout the enclosure.

Osprey Nest Platform

Ospreys build nests on tall, isolated trees near bodies of water. Man-made nesting platforms can be used to enhance osprey populations, by providing more nesting sites. Located off of Osprey Outlook boardwalk, the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn has installed an osprey nesting platform in an effort to attract nesting pairs to our property. We would like to thank Palmetto Electric Cooperative for their assistance during the installation of the nesting pole.

Marsh Tacky Horse Race

It has been more than forty years since the last Marsh Tacky Horse Race happened on Hilton Head Island, however it was an exicitng day when 15 Marsh Tacky horses visited Hilton Head to compete in a Marsh Tacky Horse Race. In partnership with the Coastal Discovery Museum, the Native Island Business Community Affaris Association and the Carolina Marsh Tacky Association, created an exciting event that drew an estimated crowd of 3,000 people. The horses and their riders traveled from areas throughout South Carolina including Florence, Walterboro, and Ridgeland to compete in several races throughout the day.

Local 3rd Grade Artwork Featured at Museum

Brucie Holler, a local artist, received a Distinguished Arts Program Grant to work with 3rd grade students at Hilton Head Island School for the Creative Arts. The project, South Carolina Legacy, was part of the curriculum studying the history and legacy of South Carolina. The students created these collages using images of the state ranging from flora and fauna, the European Exploration, industry, the people and their daily lives, recipes, lyrics of spiritual songs, Civil and Revolutionary War images and images of the Civil Rights Movement. Indigo and tea were used to tint the images as well.

These works will be on dispay through March 4th in the Sea Island Room of the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn. The museum is open Monday through Saturday 9 to 5 and Sunday 11-3.

Project WILD Teacher Workshop

We had a wonderful day at Honey Horn on Saturday, January 31st when 27 teachers from Beaufort County School District visited the Coastal Discovery Museum to participate in a Project WILD workshop taught by Jack Hancock. Teachers had the opportunity to learn about the Project WILD curriculum by participating in hands-on lessons featured in the Project WILD activity guide.

The Coastal Discovery Museum will host additional workshops for teachers in the upcoming months. Topics will include environmental education, forestry, and recycling. Upcoming workshops include:

Saturday, February 21, 2009 Project Learning Tree

Saturday, March 28, 2009 Take Action: Recycling

Saturday, May 16, 2009 Project Learning Tree: Forest Ecology & Issues