Scientists at Home: Extinct Giant Tortoises of Madagascar

Thu Aug 6, 2020
Various times
Age: 6 and up
Price: FREE
Invite a friend Website

NYC's American Museum of Natural History Herpetology Curator Chris Raxworthy hosts a fascinating exploration of recently discovered caves in Madagascar, where bones from extinct giant tortoises and crocodiles, likely to be less than 2,000 years old, were found.

These species went extinct soon after humans first arrived on the island and their cause of extinction is not yet well known.

Raxworthy will answer your questions as he discusses the alternative hypotheses for their extinction and how collected specimens will be tested, using their DNA, to learn about the evolution and origins of these species.

Also: Stay tuned for a personal appearance by a special guest from the Herpetology Department: Persephone, a 56-year-old Greek tortoise.

2pm Eastern
1pm Central
11am Pacific

** Activity dates/times are subject to change. Please click through to the activity website to verify.