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Snowflake, you will be missed!

With the passing of this season’s first snowfall, came the passing of our guinea pig, Snowflake.

For 6 years, Snowflake had served Science World’s visitors as an animal ambassador; our only mammalian representative (not counting the human facilitators).

In March of 2007, we discovered two abandoned guinea pigs under the shrubs outside our dome. Wild guinea pigs are native to the Andes Mountains where the climate is warm. They would not survive outdoors in Vancouver’s cool and damp spring weather. Tina (our Science Store Manager) agreed to give them a home and it became apparent that one was pregnant. Soon there were three more cavies to care for. Search: Sara Stern Gallery became home for the females, Snowflake and Peanut.

Because of Snowflake, guests learned that guinea pigs were traditionally raised as a food source in their South American homeland and were also the exotic pets of royalty (Queen Elizabeth I). Guinea pigs were also the inspiration for science fiction writers when they created the tribble animal—the Klingons “mortal enemy.”

While some guinea pigs live up to 10 years, 5 years is the average. Peanut died in the spring of 2011.

When you visit Science World, drop by Search: Sara Stern Gallery and make your own celebratory snowflake in memory of our guinea pig.

About the sticker

Survivors

Artist: Jeff Kulak

Jeff is a senior graphic designer at Science World. His illustration work has been published in the Walrus, The National Post, Reader’s Digest and Chickadee Magazine. He loves to make music, ride bikes, and spend time in the forest.

About the sticker

Egg BB

Artist: Jeff Kulak

Jeff is a senior graphic designer at Science World. His illustration work has been published in the Walrus, The National Post, Reader’s Digest and Chickadee Magazine. He loves to make music, ride bikes, and spend time in the forest.

About the sticker

Comet Crisp

Artist: Jeff Kulak

Jeff is a senior graphic designer at Science World. His illustration work has been published in the Walrus, The National Post, Reader’s Digest and Chickadee Magazine. He loves to make music, ride bikes, and spend time in the forest.

About the sticker

T-Rex and Baby

Artist: Michelle Yong

Michelle is a designer with a focus on creating joyful digital experiences! She enjoys exploring the potential forms that an idea can express itself in and helping then take shape.

About the sticker

Buddy the T-Rex

Artist: Michelle Yong

Michelle is a designer with a focus on creating joyful digital experiences! She enjoys exploring the potential forms that an idea can express itself in and helping then take shape.

About the sticker

Geodessy

Artist: Michelle Yong

Michelle is a designer with a focus on creating joyful digital experiences! She enjoys exploring the potential forms that an idea can express itself in and helping then take shape.

About the sticker

Science Buddies

Artist: Ty Dale

From Canada, Ty was born in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1993. From his chaotic workspace he draws in several different illustrative styles with thick outlines, bold colours and quirky-child like drawings. Ty distils the world around him into its basic geometry, prompting us to look at the mundane in a different way.

About the sticker

Western Dinosaur

Artist: Ty Dale

From Canada, Ty was born in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1993. From his chaotic workspace he draws in several different illustrative styles with thick outlines, bold colours and quirky-child like drawings. Ty distils the world around him into its basic geometry, prompting us to look at the mundane in a different way.

About the sticker

Time-Travel T-Rex

Artist: Ty Dale

From Canada, Ty was born in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1993. From his chaotic workspace he draws in several different illustrative styles with thick outlines, bold colours and quirky-child like drawings. Ty distils the world around him into its basic geometry, prompting us to look at the mundane in a different way.