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Meet our Animals
BUGS!
Axolotls
NEW! The Axolotl is a unique aquatic salamander with some distinct biological quirks. Unlike most amphibians, they never truly go through that metamorphosis process to become land-dwellers. As a result, Axolotls spend their entire lives in the water.
Axolotls are only found in Mexico. They’re often referred to as Mexican Walking Fish. Unfortunately, these animals have become critically endangered in the wild due to habitat loss and pollution.
Axolotls have amazing regenerative abilities! Not only can they fully replace a lost tail or limbs-- without leaving a scar-- but axolotls can even replace parts of their brain!
Perhaps the most defining feature of the Axolotl is the gills which are located on protruding crown-like appendages that branch out from the head, called rami. They are positioned to the rear of the head, creating a very interesting look for the creature. Each appendage is covered in tiny gill filaments.
Axolotls are only found in Mexico. They’re often referred to as Mexican Walking Fish. Unfortunately, these animals have become critically endangered in the wild due to habitat loss and pollution.
Axolotls have amazing regenerative abilities! Not only can they fully replace a lost tail or limbs-- without leaving a scar-- but axolotls can even replace parts of their brain!
Perhaps the most defining feature of the Axolotl is the gills which are located on protruding crown-like appendages that branch out from the head, called rami. They are positioned to the rear of the head, creating a very interesting look for the creature. Each appendage is covered in tiny gill filaments.
Weedy Scorpionfish
Meet the weedy scorpionfish!👋🏼
With an ability to blend seamlessly into its surroundings, this fish's specialized camouflage protects it from predators and helps it ambush prey.
The weedy scorpionfish is equipped with venomous spines, offering a lethal surprise to any predator that dares to come too close. Its vibrant colors serve as a warning of the potent venom concealed within.
🌟FUN FACT: When hunting, it waits patiently for prey to come near before quickly sucking it in. Its ability to mimic debris or seaweed swaying in the current makes it nearly invisible in its natural habitat.
With an ability to blend seamlessly into its surroundings, this fish's specialized camouflage protects it from predators and helps it ambush prey.
The weedy scorpionfish is equipped with venomous spines, offering a lethal surprise to any predator that dares to come too close. Its vibrant colors serve as a warning of the potent venom concealed within.
🌟FUN FACT: When hunting, it waits patiently for prey to come near before quickly sucking it in. Its ability to mimic debris or seaweed swaying in the current makes it nearly invisible in its natural habitat.
Ball Python
NEW! Ball pythons are from west and central Africa, close to the Congolian rainforests. Despite having 100 sharp teeth, ball pythons do not chew their prey, but use their teeth to hold onto their food while they swallow it whole.
Ball pythons are good climbers but are usually seen on the ground.
Ball pythons can easily find prey in complete darkness because they have heat sensing pits located along their upper jaw.
Pythons are an excellent example of why people should carefully consider what type of pet they want, and NEVER release unwanted pets into the wild. Pet pythons released in the Florida everglades have flourished and are now devastating the natural habitat. What started as a few unwanted pets, has become a reproducing population of more than 300,000 snakes.
Ball pythons are good climbers but are usually seen on the ground.
Ball pythons can easily find prey in complete darkness because they have heat sensing pits located along their upper jaw.
Pythons are an excellent example of why people should carefully consider what type of pet they want, and NEVER release unwanted pets into the wild. Pet pythons released in the Florida everglades have flourished and are now devastating the natural habitat. What started as a few unwanted pets, has become a reproducing population of more than 300,000 snakes.
Baby Epaulette Sharks
Shark 'pup'date! Our baby epaulette shark pups are really growing. These juveniles were hatched at the aquarium in 2019. These amazing creatures can “walk” by wriggling their bodies and pushing with their fins along the sea floor and even on land when needed! For that reason it is often referred to as the “walking shark”. They love to hide but try and spot them in our Shipwreck Gallery.
Whitetip Reef Sharks
Barry and Blaze are our Whitetip reef sharks. They are hard to miss with their slender shape, pronounced gills and white-tipped fins. Whitetip reef sharks appear grumpy because of their down-turned mouth and protruding brow ridges. Whitetip sharks are calm during the day but transform into efficient hunters as they scour reefs at night! As they swim, they are known to move in an irregular waving style.
The whitetip reef shark is highly responsive to the electrical cues given off by potential prey. It is especially sensitive to natural and artificial low-frequency sounds, like a struggling fish. As a hunting method, whitetip reef sharks sometimes chase and trap their prey in crevices where they can easily jam their slim bodies and snouts to catch it.
Barry and Blaze will rest on the sandy bottom because this species of shark does not need to move to breathe like many other sharks. One of only a few species of sharks that does not have to continuously swim in order to breathe, the whitetip reef shark uses a method known as buccal pumping to pump water into its mouth and over its gills, enabling it to spend long periods of time resting in caves or on the seabed.
The whitetip reef shark is highly responsive to the electrical cues given off by potential prey. It is especially sensitive to natural and artificial low-frequency sounds, like a struggling fish. As a hunting method, whitetip reef sharks sometimes chase and trap their prey in crevices where they can easily jam their slim bodies and snouts to catch it.
Barry and Blaze will rest on the sandy bottom because this species of shark does not need to move to breathe like many other sharks. One of only a few species of sharks that does not have to continuously swim in order to breathe, the whitetip reef shark uses a method known as buccal pumping to pump water into its mouth and over its gills, enabling it to spend long periods of time resting in caves or on the seabed.
Cowfish
Have you met our Longhorn Cowfish? 🐮🐟 These cuties have unique defense mechanisms against predators. Their long horns prevent other fish from swallowing them whole. Also when threatened, they can release a poison into the water that can harm their predators. See if you can spot one hovering around our Contact Cove Gallery
Bamboo shark pups
Bamboo Sharks are small carpet sharks that grow to about 3 feet long. They are nocturnal predators and at night they scour the bottom for food, sucking in what they find. Like other sharks, these young shark pups have electroreceptors along their barbels on their snout to help them locate prey that is buried in the sand and mud.
They have small mouths, but very powerful jaws! Look for these pups in Contact Cove with our friendly rays! You might also spy Louis, a super unique albino bamboo shark pup! Albino animals have a very slim chance of survival in the wild but Louis is safe at home with us.
They have small mouths, but very powerful jaws! Look for these pups in Contact Cove with our friendly rays! You might also spy Louis, a super unique albino bamboo shark pup! Albino animals have a very slim chance of survival in the wild but Louis is safe at home with us.
Zenon the Zebra Shark
Zenon the Zebra Shark is the large shark with lots of black spots. Zebra sharks are nocturnal and hunt at night for crustaceans and small fish. During the day, they are sluggish like teenagers getting ready for school and like to rest on the sandy sea bottom which Zenon does a lot.
Zebra sharks are born with stripes but as they get older the stripes are replaced by small black spots. Zenon will grow to be about 8 feet long.
Zebra sharks have slender, sensory organs that look a little like cat whiskers at the front of their snouts to help them seek out prey.
Adult zebra sharks are non-aggressive toward humans and have few predators other than larger sharks and humans. Zebra sharks are considered an Endangered Species everywhere in the world, except Australia, so we must do what we can to protect them!
Zebra sharks are born with stripes but as they get older the stripes are replaced by small black spots. Zenon will grow to be about 8 feet long.
Zebra sharks have slender, sensory organs that look a little like cat whiskers at the front of their snouts to help them seek out prey.
Adult zebra sharks are non-aggressive toward humans and have few predators other than larger sharks and humans. Zebra sharks are considered an Endangered Species everywhere in the world, except Australia, so we must do what we can to protect them!
Seahorse and Pipefish
Seahorses and Pipefish have prehensile tails that they use to hitch onto just about anything around them, including each other. The strange-looking, elongated bodies help them camouflage themselves in sea grass beds to avoid predators. FUN FACT: Similar to the seahorse, the male pipefish fertilizes and incubates the eggs, keeping them safe until the babies are ready to be born.
Poison Dart Frogs
A poison dart frogs colorful designs tell potential predators, "I'm toxic. Don't eat me." Scientists think that poison dart frogs get their toxicity from some of the insects they eat. How do poison dart frogs capture their prey? Slurp! With a long, sticky tongue that darts out and zaps the unsuspecting bug! Come check out these little cuties and all our other amazing animals.
Sheep Crab
How does a sheep crab eat? Crabs use their multiple appendages to hunt and eat. They use their antennae for touch and smell; a number of modified appendages act as a mouth for cutting, picking, sorting and pulverizing food; and the pincers, the most recognizable appendage, are used for grasping and tearing. Come on down and meet our sheep crabs and all of our other amazing animals.
Meet some of our newest creatures and featured animals
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