Q: What is the concept behind the Romance is Wild Exhibition at Butterfly Pavilion?

A: During the month of February, we've crafted dating profiles reminiscent of Tinder on a fictitious platform named Love Bug, featuring our animals and highlighting their distinctive reproductive behaviors. We've taken close-up photographs of each animal, resembling a dating app format, and infused engaging facts about their biology and personalities. Starting February 5, we will display these profiles alongside their respective animals. This theme is particularly fitting for celebrating Valentine's Day.

Q: What are some of the more interesting invertebrate mating strategies?

A: Invertebrates use many diverse strategies for reproduction, like mantises, where a female can be two to three times larger than the male. So, the male needs to be exceptionally swift and agile to avoid being consumed by the female. Interestingly, even if the female catches them, she can start consuming them from the head, yet the body can still continue mating.

Or, in some insect species, males offer nuptial gifts, typically food items, to females during courtship. This serves as both a nutritional benefit and a courtship display.

Q: What are some other fascinating characteristics you're featuring?

A: Another fascinating species that captivates everyone's interest is the black widow. These spiders draw significant attention due to their venom, a characteristic that often captures the public's imagination through media portrayals. Here, we strive to showcase the more enchanting aspects of black widows. While they possess the ability to bite and are venomous, most of the time, they are quite reserved and shy creatures. They prefer undisturbed environments, and when delving into their biology, a more nuanced understanding emerges.

Q: Will you feature any marine invertebrates?

A: We have this amazing Peacock Mantis Shrimp, which is a beautiful and super colorful creature. Its dating profile states: “I am a disco maestro with punches as fast as my dance moves. Let me break up your monotonous love life with dazzling colors and groovy patterns When I'm not throwing the ocean's fastest punch.” This refers to their exceptional strength, these creatures possess formidable power, capable of delivering forceful blows that can even damage tanks if not constructed from a specific material. Their strength is particularly evident in the forceful strikes executed with their front legs.

Q: What's the overall goal of this type of exhibition?

A: Our goal is to promote awareness about invertebrates, emphasizing their significance in ecosystems and advocating for conservation efforts. Initiatives like the Romance is Wild exhibition, alongside our global conservation programs, play a crucial role in increasing awareness and safeguarding these essential species.