Halloween Is Over, but Jackie's Decomposition Is Just Getting Started!

Halloween may be over, but Jackie, our decomposing jack-o'-lantern, is still going strong! Since introducing our pumpkin decomposition project, Jackie has been going through some exciting changes. From unexpected visitors to a growing collection of fungi, there's a lot happening inside her jar. Let's take a look at what we've observed and the science behind it!

October 25: New Visitors and a Weakening Pumpkin

Jackie had some unexpected visitors! Fruit flies discovered our decomposing pumpkin, attracted by the softening and decaying material inside. We also noticed fungi growing around her stem and the area between her carved eyes beginning to weaken. As tiny organisms break down Jackie's tissues, her once sturdy structure is slowly losing its strength. Despite all these changes, Jackie was still looking bright orange! We even predicted that she might begin sinking inward as her structure continued to weaken.

November 1: The Microbes Are Taking Over!

Just one week later, Jackie was looking quite different! Although the fruit flies appeared to have disappeared, fungi and bacteria were hard at work. These tiny organisms, called decomposers, release special substances called enzymes that help break down Jackie's cells, turning her once firm pumpkin pulp into mush. As they feed, microorganisms also release carbon dioxide and water, while nutrients in the pumpkin become available to other living things. This is all part of nature's recycling process!

Why Is Jackie Changing Colors?

Jackie's bright orange color is beginning to fade, and we're seeing new shades of brown, yellow, white, and gray! The white and gray areas come from fungi growing on her surface, while some of the browning happens through a process called oxidation. This is similar to what happens when you cut an apple and leave it out! Jackie's yellowish fading may be caused by light exposure or the breakdown of carotenoids, the natural pigments that give pumpkins their orange color. As her cells break down, those bright colors can begin to disappear.

What's Next for Jackie?

With her rind (the pumpkin's outer shell) weakening and her insides becoming softer, Jackie may soon begin to collapse inward! As fungi and bacteria continue breaking down her tissues, we'll be watching to see how much her appearance changes. Will she lose her familiar jack-o'-lantern face? Will more tiny visitors arrive? Only time will tell!

Keep Following Jackie's Journey!

Decomposition might look a little messy, but it's an important part of nature! Fungi, bacteria, and other decomposers help break down dead plants and animals, returning nutrients to the environment where they can help support new life.

Jackie is giving us a front-row seat to this fascinating natural process, one Pump-Date at a time!

Be sure to follow the Las Vegas Science & Natural History Museum for more updates as we continue watching Jackie's transformation. Halloween may be behind us, but Jackie's science experiment is far from over!