'Animal Architects' on display at museum

Ten-year-old Will Everett of Lake Bluff watched intently as live worker ants made their way through the neon blue gel creating intricate tunnels and designs.

The elaborate, self-contained ant farm was part of the Animal Architects exhibit currently at the Lake County Discovery Museum in Lakewood Forest Preserve near Wauconda.

"It's an exhibit of animal architecture and it takes a look at the many structures that animals build. There are a hundred animals represented. We have bird nests, we have a recreation of a beaver's lodge, we have spider webs and wasp nests," according to museum educator Claudine Damm. "It is a way for kids to appreciate what amazing things that these animals can do. The innovations that they have; how they're used and why they're used."

"The kids love the interaction. There is a nest that kids can build while they put wings on and act like birds. The beaver lodge allows the kids to climb through it and gives kids the feeling of what it is like to be a beaver. They have little beaver tails that they can put on," explained Damm. "The interactives are complementing the content of the exhibit."

Some children played in a large groundhog burrow, climbing in it and popping their heads up through holes. As they appeared on the prairie, a hawk screeched overhead as if it were coming down to attack them.

"I thought it was really nice and very educational," said Sandi Flackus of Wauconda as she watched her 3-year-old daughter, Mackenzie, build a small bird nest. "It was very interactive for the kids to learn a lot about making bird nests and what goes on with the birds. She was amazed about how the baby robins were really hungry waiting for their mommy birds to bring them food."

Animal Architects runs through Feb. 21st with informal talks every Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

A special Animal Architects Extravaganza will be held for kids on Monday, Feb. 15 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with a day of activities, crafts and games.