Butterflies and Mice: Mall of America

While at the Mall of America for Scrapfest, my sisters and I discovered that there is a butterfly display in the amusement park in the center of the mall. Well, we rushed over with our cameras, paid the $5 entrance fee (unlike the free display at Como Park), and saw monarchs. Unfortunately, the display is only licensed for monarchs right now, but in four weeks will be licensed to display more species.

Pretty little critters, aren't they? But apparently, MOA is inhabited by other critters as well. I noticed the worker gathering up a pile of dead monarchs and asked her if this was a butterfly graveyard. She told me that the mall has a mouse problem; they've discovered that the exhibit has these tasty treats, and she didn't much mind when the mice were cleaning up the dead butterflies for her. But now they seem to have learned that the butterflies are "easy pickings" and are now snacking on the live butterflies. She said it's kind of an expensive meal for the mice. (Someone should think about THAT before issuing the license for all those other species!)

She also said there's lots of mice in the mall, that come out at night. Ewwwwww!!!!! Think about that next time you put your feet, with sandals on, on the floor in the movie theatre inthe mall, in the dark!