Here is an article about the aquarium's breakthrough in reproducing a species of coral:
Florida Aquarium reproduces ridge cactus coral in world first | blooloop
Florida Aquarium reproduces ridge cactus coral in world first | blooloop
Florida Aquarium Florida Aquarium News & Notes
The Florida Aquarium will re-open May 15; tickets are online only and touch exhibits and the play area will be closed: The Florida Aquarium to reopen on May 15
Here is an article about the facility's efforts to engage the public and refresh its offerings:
Florida Aquarium | Roger Germann on expansion & education | blooloop
Florida Aquarium | Roger Germann on expansion & education | blooloop
The new outdoor African Penguin habitat opens in July, according to an email sent to members. Right now the penguins don't have an on display habitat.
In a terrible turn of events, 7 penguins died unexpectedly. I am not sure how many they have in total, but that is a large number to die in one evening:
This is from an email sent to members.
Yikes, horrible situation. Especially bad considering a the new exhibit that is supposed to open this month. Not to change the subject, but do you know where that new exhibit will be and/or any designs or concept art for it?
Yeah, it is crazy. No, I have not been to the aquarium for a while, I am not sure where it is. I think it might be out on the plaza where the splash area and playground is, but I could be wrong. It is outside somewhere and the only other place I can think of would be up top outside the coral reef overlook where they do events.
The newest google earth view seems to show a new covered exhibit being built on top of the 2nd floor deck which has been expanded out towards the water.
Interesting, that could be it. Map view also shows a ton of construction in the outdoor area near the splash pad on the ground level.
I went to the aquarium this past Sunday, the penguin habitat is under construction. I did not see any active work being done, but it looked largely complete from the exterior. One could not see the main part of the habitat, but it is located behind the playground outside. If you have been to that area, it is where the "boats" (picnic tables) were located.
I've been curious about Florida Aquarium and wanting to visit but I was looking at videos and their otter really seems to do a lot of stereotypic behaviors and I saw the same with their ducks. Any thoughts on this? Are there regulars here who could comment on whether that was pretty normal for them?
The otters do what otters seem to do....but I have not really thought poorly of their enclosure. It is a little small by today's standards, but decently designed. The ducks seem to move around the area well, I have seen them in different parts of the area, I have not noticed any concerning behaviors.
Thank you so much! I really appreciate your response!
JurassicMax
Well-Known Member
At the end of October atleast 8 Dwarf seahorses were born.
Source:
Instagram of Florida Aquarium (25/10/2021) https://www.instagram.com/p/CVdtZfSFM9G/
Source:
Instagram of Florida Aquarium (25/10/2021) https://www.instagram.com/p/CVdtZfSFM9G/
No answer on why the penguins died. Basically they either are not saying the cause, or they really don't know. In the end, to the public, it is a mystery. Hopefully not to be repeated. I have not been back, but the outdoor habitat should be open by now. That will be a step up from just living in the off-view area.
The African Penguin habitat finally opens March 12.
Two new male roseate spoonbill have been added to the wetlands habitat.
Log into Facebook
Log into Facebook
A rescued brown pelican has moved into the Florida wetlands dome:
Log in or sign up to view
Log in or sign up to view
I stopped by the Aquarium for a bit today, it's my first visit since they opened the new penguin habitat. I am sorry to say it is the smallest, worst penguin habitat I have ever seen. They seem to have 3 penguins left after 7 died previously, I have no idea how they thought 10 penguins would fit in this habitat, it's cramped with 3. It's such an odd little building off behind the splash pad. In my previous construction pictures you can see the large window, that's the whole habitat. That's it. No outdoor part, no extra pool, this is the whole thing as far as I could tell.
Honestly, I thought ZooTampa has built some questionable new habitats, but this is worse. While I suppose this is better than living behind the scenes all the time, that should not be the bar for a quality habitat. The AZA should not allow this kind of habit to be built. The Florida Aquarium would be better off without these penguins.
There's certainly no room to dive, and barely any room to swim more than one flap. It makes the Penguin Cove at Brights Zoo look like the Taj Mahal. You can see from my previous post that I thought that the actual habitat would be outside, like ZooTampa has, but instead it is actually just inside this tiny building with a large window looking in.
Honestly, I thought ZooTampa has built some questionable new habitats, but this is worse. While I suppose this is better than living behind the scenes all the time, that should not be the bar for a quality habitat. The AZA should not allow this kind of habit to be built. The Florida Aquarium would be better off without these penguins.
There's certainly no room to dive, and barely any room to swim more than one flap. It makes the Penguin Cove at Brights Zoo look like the Taj Mahal. You can see from my previous post that I thought that the actual habitat would be outside, like ZooTampa has, but instead it is actually just inside this tiny building with a large window looking in.
Last edited: