The Survival of the Slowest: New Must-See Exhibit at the Science Museum of Virginia

The Science Museum of Virginia has a new exhibit just in time for summer: Survival of the Slowest!

Perfect for the whole family, Survival of the Slowest invites guests to discover how some of nature’s most unlikely animals have turned their unique traits into survival superpowers! You can learn how snakes can go so long without eating, how sloths stay safe from fast moving predators, and how some reptiles use clever tricks to hide from danger. This engaging, live animal exhibit teaches everyone that in nature, being slow or small can actually be an advantage!

The Survival of the Slowest is on display at The Science Museum of Virginia from May 23 to September 7, 2026.

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Everything YOU need to know about Survival of the Slowest:

The Science Museum of Virginia's Survival of the Slowest has taken over the Dewey Gottwald Center!

In this engaging, live-animal exhibit, you can learn about and meet some of nature's most underestimated creatures and the clever ways they survive! You can discover how sloths stay safe from predators, how iguanas conserve energy, and how some snakes can go for months without a meal. Throughout the exhibit, you'll see how animals use unique adaptations and smart survival strategies to overcome challenges.

The highlight of this touring exhibit is, of course, the live animals. As you move throughout the exhibit, you'll find animals like snakes and a tenrec (...plus more!) in their own animal habitat.

At each animal habitat, you can learn about the animal's name, facts about him, and there's a model outside the habitat that children can touch! There's also special programming throughout the day with the Wildlife Educators, where curious kids and grownups can learn even more about the "animal superpowers" featured in Survival of the Slowest!

Daily Wildlife Educator Sessions:

1. 11am - Wildlife educators chat about the animals in the exhibit, and some of reptile ambassadors will be out will be out based on availability. 

2. 2:30pm - Lulu, the two-toed sloth, works with her handler. You can watch her handler feed her and work on training exercises.

3. 4pm - Wildlife educators chat about the animals in the exhibit, and some of reptile ambassadors will be out will be out based on availability. 

Live Animals featured in "The Survival of the Slowest":

1. Shaymin, a lesser hedgehog tenrec

2. Pumpkin, a gray rate snake

3. ball python and other snakes

4. bearded dragon

5. Asian water dragon

6. blue-tongued skink

7. box turtle

8. Quentin Tartulion, a gold knee tarantula (and Brazilian black tarantula)

9. horned frog

10. leopard gecko

11. a two-toed sloth

This exhibit is LITTLE KID APPROVED!

1. Kid-level viewing: the animal habitats are at kid-height.

2. Touch friendly: outside each habitat is a replica of the animal, so kids can touch and explore without endangering the live animal.

3. Lots of open space: the exhibit is spread out, so children can move freely throughout the space.

More Special Programming this Summer:

Special summer activities will range from make-your-own animal plushies in The Forge to a look at animal migrations in Science on a Sphere and rotating activities in the Art Lab and throughout the museum.

The Science Museum of Virginia will host an adults-only Science on Tap on July 23. This special event will go Upside Down (much like the sloth), at an event offering a look at the stranger side of science. Finally, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the Science Museum will offer extended hours each Friday to give guests additional opportunities to take in 'Survival of the Slowest

*More events and experiences will be announced throughout the summer!

Where is The Science Museum of Virginia?

The museum's address is 2500 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23220.

You can find free parking in the parking deck between The Children's Museum of Richmond and The Science Museum of Virginia.

When is The Science Museum of Virginia open?

The Science Museum is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Fridays through Labor Day.

The Survival of the Slowest will be on display May 23 to September 7, 2026.

How much does it cost to visit The Science Museum of Virginia?

The Science Museum of Virginia's regular admission costs $17.50 per adult (13-59), $14.50 per senior (60+), $14.50 per youth (6-12 years old), and $10 per preschooler (3-5 years old) to visit daily. Children 2 years old and younger can visit for free.

*To experience Survival of the Slowest, select a combined ticket option. The combined admission cost is $24 for adults; $21 for youth (ages 6-12) and seniors (ages 60 and older); and $16 for preschool-aged children (ages 3-5). Science Museum members receive free admission to the Science Museum and Survival of the Slowest.

Teachers can visit the Science Museum’s permanent exhibitions for free with their teacher ID!

*The Science Museum of Virginia also participates in Museums for All. This means the Science Museum offers a discounted daily admission  & reduced-rate membership for limited-resource families. Present your Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card at the front desk to qualify for this program.The Museums for All daily admission cost is $1 or $3, and for $25, two adults and all children under 18 in the household can visit for one year.

If you are interested in a membership, check here for more details!

PRO TIP: June 11 is a $10 admission day! All tickets cost $10. The $10 admission includes general admission, the Science Unplugged touring exhibition, labs, The Forge and demos. Dome features and the Survival of the Slowest touring exhibition can be added to a Science Museum ticket for just $5 each.

More Information about The Science Museum of Virginia:

Here are things to do at the Science Museum of Virginia with kids under 7.

I've been bringing my children to this museum since they were babies, and there's so many things to see and do with them here. The entire museum is stroller friendly, so it's easy to bring little ones here.

LightPlace: This section of the museum is designed specifically for children 5 and younger. LightPlace filled with preschool-sized hands-on activities like the oversized Lite Bright, puzzles, building blocks, and a climbing area. It has floor-to-ceiling windows, so the room is filled with light and views of the trains. There is also an area just for children 18 months and younger, so even the smallest explorers can crawl to sensory experiences!

The Speed Exhibit: This exhibit has over 50 stations for you to learn about motion and time! You can race an Olympic athlete (or dinosaur), practice throwing like a baseball player, feel hurricane force winds or challenge a robot in air hockey.

The Outside Exhibits: You will find restored train cars outside, a giant chess board and a submarine. You can see this area from LightPlace, too.

Can I bring food and water into the museum?

Yes! You can bring in snacks and water to the museum, and there are designated eating areas in the museums. You'll also cafe with seating that sells coffee, snacks, box lunch items, chips, etc. The gift shop has bottled drinks, candy and snacks. Outside The Dome, the theater, you can purchase fresh popcorn, drinks and candy -- this is our favorite place to grab snacks!

Is the museum stroller friendly?

Yes! The entire museum is ADA accessible. You will find both stairs and elevators around the property.

You can find more things to do with kids on @thewestendmom 's Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok !