Why the Slowest Animals Are Thriving—and You Can See Them in Midland

The Museum of the Southwest is inviting Midland families and visitors to slow down and see nature from a new perspective with the opening of Survival of the Slowest.

This is a hands-on exhibition that runs January 23 through May 10, 2026, inside the Fredda Turner Durham Children’s Museum.

The exhibit challenges long-held assumptions about what it takes to survive in the natural world.

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The Slowest Creatures in the World

Rather than focusing on speed, strength, or size, Survival of the Slowest highlights animals that thrive precisely because they are slower, smaller, or less aggressive.

Through interactive displays and engaging activities, visitors explore how energy conservation, adaptation, and environmental balance often outweigh raw power.

One of the exhibit’s standout features is its most memorable ambassador: the sloth. Known for its deliberate pace, the sloth serves as a real-world example of how slowing down can offer surprising advantages, from conserving energy to avoiding predators.

Alongside other animals and hands-on learning stations, the exhibit turns science into an accessible and memorable experience for children and adults alike.

Survival of the Slowest Exhibit's Official Public Launch 

To celebrate the opening, the Museum of the Southwest will host a free public reception on Friday, January 23, from 4 to 6 p.m. The event offers families an opportunity to explore the exhibit at no cost.

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The exhibition is free with regular museum admission, for members, and on Sundays.  With rotating exhibits and family-focused programming, the Museum of the Southwest continues to offer new reasons for the community to return and explore.