Space for Life: An Oasis in the Midst of Winter

MONTREAL, Dec. 5, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - The holiday season is the perfect time for some natural family fun at the Montréal Space for Life. Admiring the animals in the Tropical Forest, insects from around the world and traditional Christmas plants is a way of getting closer to each other - it's like an oasis of warmth in the midst of the winter cold. At the Biodôme, a fascinating puppet show whisks kids off on a tropical adventure. At the Insectarium, a new ant nest showcases the ingenuity of social insects, while the Botanical Garden's Main Exhibition Greenhouse is full of holiday magic and splendid plant creations.

At the BIODÔME - A TROPICAL ADVENTURE
From December 22 to February 3, escape the cold outdoors and try to find the animals hiding in the Tropical Forest with the help of a colourful visitor's guide tailored to all ages. Commander Macaw, our parrot mascot, will greet you with his legendary bravado and his brilliant plumage. The puppets in the What's That Egg puppet show will enchant our youngest visitors with the intriguing adventure of a mystery egg found in the Tropical Forest. Then kids can have fun pretending to be apprentice veterinarians in the "Beaks and Bandaids" discovery area, where they'll learn how to care for the animals and prepare their food. Next up, visit the Eggs exhibition for a look at all the different colours and shapes of various bird species' eggs and the nests that hold them.

At the INSECTARIUM
Things will be hopping - or crawling - at the Insectarium, too, starting on December 7. Drop in and marvel at the new ant farm and the We Are the Insects permanent exhibition. You can see more than 3,000 mounted insect specimens (rainforest insects, horned scarab beetles, birdwing butterflies, giant beetles and more) and various stars of the live collection (walkingsticks, scarabs, scorpions and centipedes). And some fun new workshops and presentations will let you get to know these creatures better - after all, we share the same planet!

At the BOTANICAL GARDEN - CHRISTMAS IS KNOCKING AT THE DOOR
The Botanical Garden is inviting nature lovers to join it from December 7 to January 6 for its traditional Christmas event. For the occasion, specially decorated doors on a variety of unusual themes - some glittery and others rustic or gift-wrapped - open onto unique plant creations. You can admire some amazing topiary and poinsettia walls. And that's not all - the route through the greenhouses is marked with some highly original "green" Christmas ornaments. Every weekend until December 23, choirs will be presenting afternoon concerts in the Main Exhibition Greenhouse. And there's still time to visit the 1000 Days for the Planet / Base Camp at the Biodiversity Centre. Drop by and say hi!

On December 7, 8 and 9, the Botanical Garden's Christmas Fair will be back for the second year. Various exhibitors will be offering food items, plant creations and a host of other original objects. Do your Christmas shopping at this festive event and stop by the sweet canteen, too. The Garden Gift Shop also has lots of affordable Christmas gifts. It's never too early to get started!

Family rate and free admission for children 4 and under.
Check out our packages: montrealspaceforlife.ca

SOURCE: Espace pour la vie

For further information:

Karine Jalbert, Communications Co-ordinator
514 872-1453/ 514 250-3230
[e-mail] 

Nadine Fortin, Communications Co-ordinator
514 868-3053/ 514 250-7753
[e-mail]