Bloodsuckers chow down at Children’s Museum

An interactive exhibit looks at the science behind mosquitos and other bloodsuckers in Manitoba.

The name of a new exhibit at the Children’s Museum may sound straight out of a 1940’s horror film, but it’s rooted deep in science.

Attack Of The Bloodsuckers! explores the world of mosquitos, ticks, black flies, leeches and other creatures (known as sanguinivores) that eat blood.

“We have bloodsuckers attacking us all the time outside here in Manitoba,” Brittany McIntosh, the Children’s Museum’s director of education and exhibits, told CTV News. “This is a great opportunity to come and learn the science behind what’s sucking your blood.”

The interactive exhibit includes up-close looks at live leeches and mosquitos, and how these creatures detect blood.

“You can see if your stinky feet are going to make mosquitos more interested in you,” McIntosh explained.

McIntosh said the goal is to teach children about creatures in our ecosystem and how they can protect themselves from Lyme disease, West Nile Virus, and other illnesses.

“Some of these insect species are known disease carriers, and their increasing populations are a public health concern — as a community resource, we want to address that.”

However, McIntosh said the exhibit isn’t about striking fear in the hearts of children– it’s about getting them interested in science.

Attack Of The Bloodsuckers! is on display at the Children’s Museum until September 1.