San Diego, CA ­­– The Fleet Science Center

The Fleet Science Center is excited to announce the arrival of a new exhibit, Survival of the Slowest, open from May 24, 2025, to September 1, 2025. Visitors will be able to observe and interact with nature’s smallest, slowest, and weakest creatures to discover how they not only survive, but thrive in the wild.

The exhibit will feature 19 unique habitats and 22 live animals, including Maple the sloth, Iggy the Iguana, and Aphrodite the boa constrictor. Wildlife experts will be on-site to conduct up to three daily interactive presentations, and animal care staff will supervise informal animal interactions during regular museum hours.

Survival of the Slowest explores the question of strength in the wild. It illuminates the counterintuitive survival strategies that have kept these animals alive at the bottom of the food chain and poses the question, “Does bigger always mean better?”

“The exhibit looks at animal adaptations that you would not normally consider to be advantageous,” says Paul Siboroski, director of exhibits at the Fleet Science Center. “Whether it’s the sloth that’s slow or the spider that’s small, these animals have turned their disadvantages into survival mechanisms through years of evolution.”

Produced by Little Ray’s Nature Center, Survival of the Slowest explores general biology concepts and highlights overlooked species through hands-on animal interaction and thought-provoking educational presentations. This one-of-a-kind exhibit allows visitors to step into the world of the underdog and discover for themselves how slow and steady can win the race.

“It’s got everything that you could want in a gallery experience while also being very unique and different for us,” says Siboroski. “We’re excited to give visitors an immersive, educational, and engaging experience.”

To plan your visit or learn more about the exhibit, please visit fleetscience.org/experiences/survival-slowest.