Discover the Superpowers of Nature’s Heroes: Life at the Limits Exhibit at COSI

Nature’s Superheroes: Life at the Limits explores the remarkable “superpowers” that some extraordinary organisms have evolved to survive and thrive, even under extreme conditions.

We had the most epic adventure at the Nature’s Superheroes: Life at the Limits exhibit at COSI. It gave us a front-row seat to some of the most extraordinary organisms in the world. From meeting ultra-tough species that seem almost indestructible to exploring a dark and mysterious cave filled with creatures that don’t need eyes to see to walking under larger-than-life models, every moment was pure excitement.

As soon as we entered the exhibit, we were blown away by the life-size and larger-than-life models of various creatures! One of the most impressive “superpower” we saw was that of the Southern Elephant seal, which can hold its breath for up to two hours at a time! We were wowed by the life-size model of the seal and couldn’t believe that any creature could survive without breathing for that long.

We braved the mysterious cave, where we discovered some incredible creatures that don’t need eyes to survive! The girls were absolutely fascinated by this idea, and we had a blast learning about the unique adaptations these animals have developed to thrive in the low-light environment of the cave. We even caught a glimpse of leeches that seemed to have legs, and birds that use echolocation like bats to navigate in the dark.

I absolutely adore the stage that my girls are in right now. Their curiosity knows no bounds, and they want me to read every single thing to them. It’s such a joy to learn together with them. I’m truly grateful for places like COSI that offer interactive and educational exhibits that inspire a love of learning in both children and adults

We even climbed on a ginormous model of a Hercules beetle and caught a whiff of the stinky carrion flower  – it was hilarious to watch the girls’ reactions to the different smells! One of the most mind-blowing part was discovering the creatures that live a mile and a half below sea level. We were amazed to learn about how they use their sense of hearing to survive in their unique environment. It was a reminder that there’s still so much we don’t know about the world around us, and it left us feeling inspired to explore even more.

It was amazing to see how hands-on and interactive the exhibit was – it really took our experience to the next level! One of the coolest features was the kinetic digital game that let us test out the “superpowers” of different species from the exhibition. We were able to stomp on bugs to feed the star-nosed mole and even try to pet a striped skunk! 

I have to admit, even I was a little freaked out by some of the creatures we saw. But that’s what made it so thrilling! There’s nothing like experiencing the unknown and expanding your horizons. Overall, I can’t recommend this exhibit enough. It’s an adventure that the whole family will love, and you’ll come away feeling like you’ve just discovered a whole new world of superheroes!

Nature’s Superheroes: Life at the Limits is on view from April 15, 2023 – September 4, 2023. Admission includes access to this exciting exhibition, so don’t miss out on this chance to witness the incredible abilities of nature’s superheroes! included with admission.