First Wednesdays: Lecture, Cocktail Hour, and Music

The California Newt: It’s not a Movie Star Life!

Presented by: Dr. Lee Kats, Pepperdine University

The California newt is one of the few species of salamanders that live in Southern California. Dr. Lee Kats and his students have studied it for over 30 years. While evolution has equipped the California newts with one of nature’s most poisonous toxins as a defense from predators, the toxin does little to help it survive the environmental extremes of drought, wildfire, and flooding. Kats will discuss the adaptations that the newt possesses that have allowed it to survive for thousands of years and also describe how it is coping with more recent ecological disruptions.

Following the talk, guests will have the opportunity to visit our new opening exhibit: FROGS “Our Neighbors” Gallery and find newts, salamanders, axolotls, and more. Guests will also experience our Paint-a-Frog and Paint-a-Fish interactives and enjoy music, crafts, and a cash-bar in our Art Gallery.

TICKETS

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DATE

Wednesday
July 3, 2024
7:00–9:00 pm PT

COST

$5.00 per ticket for advance online reservations or $10.00 per ticket on the day of the event at the door (pending availability. Please check first).

Parking is $6.00 for the for 2.5 hours in the structure located directly across from the Aquarium. Cash bar.

Speakers

Dr. Lee Kats’ current research is on the causes of amphibian decline in Southern California with a focus on the effects of ultra-violet radiations, wildfire and the introduction of exotic species. He has significant background in the areas of animal behavior, conservation, animal ecology, tropical biology and stream ecology. He conducts most of his research in the Santa Monica Mountains of Southern California, however, he also leads classes and conducts research in Costa Rica and Argentina.

Kats has taught at Pepperdine University for 34 years. He currently serves as the Interim Dean of Seaver College, the undergraduate liberal arts college at Pepperdine. He received his Ph.D. in animal ecology from the University of Kentucky in 1990. He has published numerous research article on amphibian ecology and conservation ecology and has served on the Board of Editors for the scientific journal Conservation Biology since 1996 and the Board of Editors for the European freshwater biology journal Hydrobiologia since 2000.

The Aquarium of the Pacific’s First Wednesdays series focuses on animals,nature and conservation efforts. The events bring scientists, authors, and other experts into its Honda Pacific Visions Theater for an illustrated talk paired with book signing or meet and greets and cocktail/social hours with music and crafts. The programs are best suited for high school and college students, young professionals, and adults of all ages. Lectures are also live streamed.