This week in Incredible Creature Features camp we learned all about animal adaptations. From insects that mimic sticks and leaves to the box jellyfish with 24 eyes, we discovered an incredible amount of fascinating ways that organisms are able to survive and reproduce in the wild. Along the way we met lots of cool scientists studying these creatures and their environments.

Today we visited UT’s Brackenridge Field Lab where we met insects from all over the globe. We explored the butterfly habitat and went on a scavenger hunt to find plants and animals working to survive and defend themselves in nature. Inside the Fire Ant Lab, we met one of the coolest predators by far! The phorid fly, who preys on ants in the goriest manner imaginable. After a fly lays her eggs in a fire ant, the emerging larvae makes its way into the ant’s head and then proceeds to eat the inside of the head! Gross! Eventually, the head falls off and out comes a new fly. These flies are part of a study being done at the lab for population control of imported fire ants, and we got to see it all up close! We’re just glad we’re not fire ants!

Want to learn more about animal adaptations? Then head on over to pbskids to go on a Creature Adventure and explore the fascinating behaviors of animals around the globe! Think you’re already an adaptation expert? Then test your wits here at ecokids where you’ll find lots of other fun games about wildlife and the environment!