Shaking off a case of cabin fever? The Oklahoma Aquarium is making it easier on families to get out of the house with Two-For-Tuesdays, Science Under The Stars and Super Shark Sundays. Through February, visitors can enjoy two-for-one admission on Tuesdays, which is most convenient for scheduling around work and school because the Aquarium is open till 9:00. (Free admission applies to the lowest price per pair of tickets purchased.)

There’s an added draw on Tuesday evenings: Science Under The Stars at 6:30. This interactive program hosted by the Aquarium Education Department features hands-on activities, crafts and close inspection of some of the aquatic world’s most mysterious and fascinating animals. The theme Tuesday, February 2nd is 8-Armed Bandits, examining cephalopods including octopus and squid. Please check our website for program themes through February. www.okaquarium.org

Also in February, Super Shark Sundays! This is a contest open to kids to test their shark smarts to win prizes including a family membership. Just visit the Aquarium on any Sunday in February, pick up an entry form at the information desk for your age group, sleuth out the answer to a scientific shark question, then turn it in on your way out. The drawing for final prizes will be March 1st, but J.P. vanEttinger, “Shark Man” will pass out a limited number of smaller prizes to kids showing off their shark knowledge.

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

• Bashing shark saves girl. (New Zealand)
• Groundhogs not welcome. (statewide, page 1D)
• Bee sting helps MS patient feel better. (nationwide, page 2D)
• Exotic pets stalk viewers. (nationwide, page 1D)
• Dear Abby: Older man questions whether to adopt a dog. (Nevada)

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

• Alpacas shine at group’s festivities. (Shawnee)
• Zoo strives to keep animals warm. (Oklahoma City)
• Pet Tales: Cat jumps over fence and into heart of cancer survivor. (Edmond)
• Columnist traumatized by creepy-crawly bugs. (Bartlesville)
• Scientists discover dinosaur was red. (Washington, D.C.)
• Target salmon goes wild. (nationwide)
• Set examples as responsible pet owner. (nationwide)

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

Brandi Moss, an aquarist at the Oklahoma Aquarium, touches one of the aquarium's loggerhead turtles. All six species of sea turtles are either endangered or threatened, meaning they are on the verge of extinction.

Looking for somewhere to take your kiddos in the Tulsa area because school is out? The Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks has you covered:

It’s warm and dry inside the Oklahoma Aquarium and starting at noon Thursday, January 7th, it’s also a quick solution for working parents whose kids are out of school due to the severe cold. A special Cold Weather SeaCamp will be held from noon to 5:00 on Thursday and from 9:00 to 5:00 on Friday. The cost of the camp is $20 on Thursday and $30 on Friday. Late pick-up is available till 5:30 for an additional $5 both days. Early drop-off is available Friday at 8:30 for $5. This fee is discounted from the Aquarium’s regularly scheduled SeaCamps as a community service during this dangerously cold weather. This means parents can make it to work and have a safe, fun, educational place for their children for $4 or less per hour. Children are asked to bring a sack lunch and wear warm layers as temperatures vary in different parts of the Aquarium. Call ahead registration is recommended as attendance is limited to the first 100 children each day. Call (918) 296-FISH. Details are on our website, www.okaquarium.org.

Maybe your kids will have a chance to see awesome turtles like the one shown here. They probably won’t get to touch them, though.

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

• At zoo exhibit, it’s a bear’s life. (Oklahoma City – Be sure to click on this one and check out the neat panorama photo!)
• Opinion: Zoo’s growth continues. (Oklahoma City)
• Take care of pets during holidays. (Norman)
• Packing up one fragile tusk to go. (Norman)
• Two-legged pooch offers hope to wounded veterans. (Ardmore)
• Fishing days set for children. (Tulsa)
• Build-a-Bear videos raise conservative ire. (Missouri)
• Rainbow of underwater color shines in Caribbean. (Belize)

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

• Vet gives fawn a new chance at seeing. (Oklahoma City)
• Zoo has name contest for 12 Nigerian goats. (Oklahoma City)
• GPS helping keep track: Wildlife researchers using technology to follow birds, animals. (statewide)
• Radio equipment helps track state wildlife. (statewide)
• United Airlines rescinds recent no antlers baggage rule. (Outdoors blog)
• Pony Express riders deliver Christmas mail in style. (Missouri)
• Two dogs find home after police say they fed on owner. (Nebraska)
• Fishers want locks closed. (Michigan)
• Government to jail tiger’s killer. (China)

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

• Alligator sighting reported at park. (Oklahoma City)
• Shelter gets funds for pet tag study. (Oklahoma City)
• Horse, owner get super win at show. (Oklahoma City)
• Shelter seeks pet gifts. (Oklahoma City)
• Giraffe suffers from neck injury during move. (Tulsa)
• Delays continue in state’s poultry waste pollution trial. (Tulsa)
• Swooping in: Oklahoma hosting national event for handlers of eagles, hawks and falcons. (Woodward)
• Rare birds seen in state. (Woodward)
• Horse country tour. (Texas)
• 5,600 species found during ocean census. (Louisiana)
• Cruelty brings no contest plea. (New Mexico)
• Ducks in trouble, Ducks Unlimited says. (northwestern United States)
• New books for birders. (nationwide)
• Jaguar blamed in miner’s death. (Guyana)
• Bulls escape from movie set. (Spain)
• White tiger gets new home. (Serbia)
• “Fantastic Mr. Fox” full of fun. (movie review)

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

The show marks its 20th anniversary at 6 p.m. Sunday on ABC. (Read more about TV on the NewsOK Television Blog!)

And in honor of their anniversary, show officials calculated all the animal winners during the past 20 years. Dogs finished first with cats close behind. But there are all kinds of other animals that have won. (Who knew whales could be funny? And who knew that a praying mantis would win not once but twice?)

• 1 ANT
• 3 BEARS
• 22 BIRDS
• 1 BULL
• 1 CAMEL
• 34 CATS
• 1 CHIMP
• 1 DEER
• 136 DOGS
• 1 ELK
• 1 FERRET
• 1 FISH
• 1 FLY
• 1 FROG
• 4 GIRAFFES
• 4 GOATS
• 1 GORILLA
• 1 GUINEA PIG
• 3 HAMSTERS
• 4 HORSES
• 1 KANGAROO
• 1 LIZARD
• 2 LLAMAS
• 5 MONKEYS
• 2 MICE
• 1 ORANGUTAN
• 1 OSTRICH
• 2 PRAYING MANTIS
• 5 RACOONS
• 1 RAM
• 1 RAT
• 1 RHINO
• 1 SEA LION
• 1 SPIDER
• 1 SNAKES
• 9 SQUIRRELS
• 1 TARANTULA
• 1 TOAD
• 2 WHALES

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

• Cruelty charges filed. (Stillwater)
• Teens find plenty to enjoy at the fair. (Oklahoma City)
• Club plans fishing derby. (Oklahoma City)
• Ugly bugs come out of their rug. (Edmond)
• Halloween can be a treat for dogs, too. (Norman)
• Pet Tales: Rescued dog finds family home. (Midwest City)
• Blog: More from the state wildlife director. (statewide)
• Cesar Millan dog-based empire adds slick magazine. (California)

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

1. Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fla., has four pet-friendly dorm “clusters” that allow cats and dogs that weigh less than 40 pounds. Snakes and fish are welcome, too.

2. Stephens College in Columbia, Mo., has a “pet dorm” where dogs, cats, hamsters and guinea pigs are allowed.

3. Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, Penn., has a “Pet House” dorm, which allows cats, dogs, small birds, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, turtles and fish. Have something more exotic? The college evaluates them on individually.

4. Principa College in Elsah, Ill., has seven dorms and university apartments that allow pets. Students may bring dogs, cats, rabbits, caged animals and aquatic life.

5. California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, Calif., lets students have cats in all dorms. Small cage animals and aquatic life can come to school, too.

6. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign allows students in the Ashton Woods housing to keep dogs, cats, fish and rabbits.

7. The University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho, makes room for cats and birds in the school’s apartment-style housing buildings. Fish are allowed in all dorms.

8. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Mass., requires written consent from roommates before a cat is introduced. And the dorms even have a “Pet Chairman.”

9. The State University of New York at Canton is known for Mohawk Hall, which accomodates up to 48 pets. Those animals are allowed to wander freely if their owner is around. Sadly, dogs and snakes aren’t allowed.

10. Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Penn., allows one dog or cat in each fraternity and sorority house on campus.

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll