Albino Alligators — And Happy Birthday, Claude!

Today is Claude's birthday! He is 15 now. He lives in the Academy of Science. Claude is an Albino Alligator, a rare type of alligator, first discovered in 1987.

Today, Claude will get cupcakes made of gator chow. If you visit the Academy of Science from September 8 to 15, you can make a alligator insipered birthday hat, or design a birthday cake for Claude.

Information from: The Academy of Sciences and Crocsite

See What Animals See

Here is a website for seeing what animals see. The Museum of Animal Perspectives highlights videos taken from the backs of animals.

The site is curated by “video naturalist” Sam Easterson, who collects “animal-borne imaging,” point-of-view videos from alligators, bisons, armadillos, tarantulas, scorpions, and frogs. Then he adds or embeds it into Google Maps for geographical reference. For example, watching a snapping turtle normally involves staring at a lethargic hulk in the sun. But with a view from the snapper’s back, you see it cruise along the bottom of a lake, fend off a curious bass and paddle furiously for the surface and a breath of air. Below are a few videos from Mr. Easterson's "critter cam":

Happy Birthday, Claude

Student: Angela V.

It's hard to believe that just 15 years ago, Claude was a tiny albino alligator poking his head out of an eggshell. From Sept. 8-15, people can visit the Naturalist Center to create an alligator-inspired birthday hat, or design a birthday cake for Claude in a special coloring activity. Then on Wednesday, Sept. 15 at 9:30 am, watch as aquarium staff present the reptilian star with cupcakes made of gator chow, and join fellow visitors in a rousing chorus of "Happy Birthday."

Read more about this event on the Academy of Sciences website. Then, write a news story announcing the upcoming event. Include the five W's of a good news story: who, what, when, where, and why.

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