Meet our new North American porcupine, Barton, for a special story time and meet-and-greet. As we introduce you to our prickly yet affectionate new critter, education staff (assisted by Marty the Moose, our puppet storyteller), will share a children’s book: A Porcupine Named Fluffy.

Barton arrived at the Academy last spring and has been working hard to train for his first meeting with our visitors. Watch Barton waddle across the stage, get a closer look at his quills, and find out how he was rescued from a brush fire before he joined the Academy’s team of live animal ambassadors. Buy your general admission tickets now.

All day long at Science Live, we’ll talk about forest fires and how they affect animals. Plus visit our Discovery Cart to see specimens of some animals in our Beaver diorama.

Can’t make Barton’s first public debut? We’ve scheduled a second appearance just for you! Get the details here.