Take a Trip to the Eyewire Brain Zoo!

Eyewire Brain Zoo, Zoo Brains, eyewire, citizen science, animal brainsThis summer we’ve teamed up with Zoo New England and MassArt to produce a special series of illustrations that highlight the amazingness of animal brains. You’re invited on a special expedition through the Eyewire Brain Zoo!

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Along the way we will take a look at a few impressive animals and consider what aspects of their brains make them unique. Keep an Eye out for Tamarins. They keep getting loose and triggering rogue Happy Hours!

Follow the guide to find all the species and enjoy a week’s worth of wild animal adventures!

 

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The Sloth and the Lion: Accuracy Happy Hours

Aug 24 @2 PM & 10 PM US ET

Will you play slow and steady or with quick precision?  Whichever your style, there’s an accuracy Happy Hour here for you!

Image by Daniela Gamba

 

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Anaconda Evil Cubes

Aug 25 @12 AM – Aug 30 @12 PM US ET

Boas and Pythons, including the Anaconda, utilize their infrared vision to zero in on their prey.  Channel your inner Anaconda and attack those evil cubes with great skill!

Image by Zach Herman

 

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Primate Trivia

Aug 26 @11 AM – Aug 28 @11 AM US ET with Tamarin Trivia Power Hour on Aug 28 @11 AM ET

Although they don’t have the largest brains, primates have more neurons per volume of brain than other animals, and a large portion of the brain dedicated to the prefrontal cortex.  Primates are capable of complex thought — a great skill that allows them to create and use tools, be introspective, and collect a large database of useless trivia facts!

Special thanks to Eyewire player and zookeeper @Atani for writing the trivia for this competition!

Image by Daniela Gamba

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Savannah Battle: Giraffe vs Ostrich

Aug 28 @11 AM – Aug 29 @11 AM US ET

Battle of the long necks!  Humans may have both these guys beat when it comes to brain:body ratio, but we don’t quite have the charming quirkiness of these odd misfits of the animal kingdom.

Giraffe neurons have to send signals down a 13 foot spinal column!  And an ostrich’s brain makes up just .03% of its body weight!  Pick your animal favorite and let’s see who comes out on top.

Image be Daniela Gamba and Monica Oh

 

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Honey Bee Marathon

Aug 29 starting @8 am US ET

Bees use group intelligence for their survival. A waggle dance done by a bee can communicate to others in the hive where the best food is, or where a suitable nesting place might be.

During this marathon, act like a bee and work together to get our cell built before the clock runs out! We’ll be naming any cells that are worked on during this marathon, so better start practicing that waggle!

Image by Daniela Gamba

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Celebrate the summer brain safari at the closing ceremony on Aug 31 at at 4 pm US ET!

We’ll announce awards, give out badges, and reveal the name of the second neuron type discovered by Eyewirers in the recent Cell publication!