What happened: The Fredda Turner Durham Children’s Museum at the Museum of the Southwest held the opening reception for its new exhibit, Survival of the Slowest, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 27, after winter weather postponed the original Friday debut.

The display features live animals demonstrating slow-and-steady survival strategies, including several species of snakes and lizards, a skink lizard named Skinny, a bullfrog named Maleficent, and the star of the show, JJ the sloth.

The big picture: Survival of the Slowest challenges the usual “survival of the fittest” narrative as you discover that being fast isn’t always the advantage. Through live animal enclosures and engaging displays, visitors will learn how slow living helps certain creatures thrive, making slow science accessible and enjoyable for all ages.

JJ the sloth serves as the exhibit’s main focus, demonstrating how moving slowly conserves energy and helps avoid detection by predators. Made possible by funding from the FMH Foundation, the exhibit is open now through May 2026. Head to the Museum of the Southwest at 1705 W Missouri Ave. in Midland and meet JJ, Skinny, Maleficent, and the rest of the slow-and-steady crew.

Visit the museum’s website for more information. Tuesdays through Saturdays, Museum admission is $12 for adults, $8 for Children (age 3-12), Seniors and Military, and free for children under 3. On Sundays, admission is free courtesy of Coterra Energy Inc.