DAILY VACATIONER: The Franklin Institute: Body Worlds: Animal Inside Out

The animal kingdom is absolutely fascinating. With so many shapes and sizes, breeds and kinds, and classes and species, there is always something new to discover about them. The special Body Worlds: Animal Inside Out exhibit at The Franklin Institute's Nicholas and Athena Karabots Pavilion (until April 12) gives visitors an incredible look at the insides of a huge range of wonderful creatures. From tentacles and gills to giant hearts and tiny brains, Animal Inside Out literally dissects and exposes the inner workings and curious oddities of the natural world.

Thanks to his invention of the amazing preservation process called Plastination, Dr. Gunther von Hagen was able to create this incredible showcase. We were thrilled to find an explanation of the Plastination process included within the exhibit (especially after we gawked at the animals comprised almost entirely of only their blood vessels!). We were also delighted to learn that not one animal was harmed or killed during the preparation of the exhibit, but rather all the animals (and the couple of humans) had their bodies donated posthumously. We are admittedly squeamish and were a little concerned about seeing insides exposed, but we found the whole thing to be more of an artful homage to the animal kingdom rather than just a scientific display of innards. From leaping reindeer and a massive bull to a towering giraffe and a cross-sectioned camel, Animal Inside Out is a truly unique look at not only the natural world around us, but also ourselves.