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Great White Alligator
 Opens May 23 - Sept. 1
See a very rare “great white of the wetlands,” when The Maritime Aquarium welcomes an eight-foot albino alligator! This extremely rare alligator – along with an alligator snapping turtle, the largest freshwater turtle species in the world – will be on display from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day in a special outdoor exhibit on the riverfront courtyard.
A visit from another white alligator in summer 2005 was extremely popular with visitors, who marveled at the creature that – aside from being creamy white – looked and acted like a regular ’gator. Albinos have a genetic oddity that prevents their skin, fur, feathers and eyes from producing natural colorations. Thus, they are entirely white, except for pinkish eyes. Young albino alligators have a hard time hiding from predators, so they don’t survive in the wild. One estimate has 5 million American alligators alive today – and just 40 are albino. Alligators are cold-blooded reptiles relying upon the warmth of their surroundings for energy. Unfortunately, albinos’ pale hide is very susceptible to sunburns. (The Aquarium is building a special shaded, heated enclosure.) Legend has it that staring into the eyes of a white alligator brings good luck and prosperity.
Visitors may be familiar with common snapping turtles but not their larger cousins, the alligator snapping turtle, which generally top 150 pounds as adults. Other displays explain the need for wetlands conservation, both in alligator country as well as around Long Island Sound. Included with Aquarium admission.
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“African Underwater Safari”
Opens July 1
Explore aquatic wonders of the Dark Continent and be home by dinner. On exhibit from July 1 will be amazing fish and reptiles from the Nile River, Red Sea, lakes of Africa’s Great Rift Valley, and Africa’s surrounding shorelines, including the remarkable ecosystem of Madagascar. Wild habitats include murky lake bottoms and bright coral reefs. Species highlighted include exotic, air-breathing lungfish, electric catfish, colorful Cichlid fish, knifefish, ropefish, elephant nose and butterfly fish. Also featured are bright green, giant day geckos, black mud turtles and exotic boa snakes. A hippo play space greets children as they enter. A great way to “explore” Africa for less than the cost of a tank of gas! Sponsored by Bank of America. Accompanied by the simulator ride film, “Secrets of the Lost Temple.”
“Secrets of the Lost Temple.”
Ride departing regularly throughout the day starting July 1
An obscure journal found in the depths of a local library leads to a roller coaster like ride through caverns, underwater rivers and ancient passages. Located within the “African Underwater Safari” exhibit. Film-Ride Tickets: $5.50 (Aquarium members save $1) in addition to Aquarium admission.
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Now through Labor Day:
Ancient Sea Monsters, “Dinosaurs” of the Deep
In the time of dinosaurs when T. Rex terrorized the land, an even larger predator, Tylosaurus, roamed vast oceans. Discover creatures of the ancient seas in “flesh and bone.” Seen together, our Aquarium exhibit and IMAX move offer visitors a new perspective of prehistoric sea monsters. See fossil skeletons of actual sea monsters hanging in our exhibit halls. Then watch paleontology “come to life” in a dramatic IMAX movie. We also encourage visitors to visit, even touch, some of the Aquarium’s resident “living fossils.”
Exhibit:
A large exhibit in our Maritime Hall, IMAX theater lobby, and connecting spaces will display cast fossil skeletons of ancient sea-dwelling reptiles, fish and birds hanging from the rafters. Kiosks explain how these ancient creatures lived. Touch stations allow visitors to handle fossils.
We have a self-guided tour available for download in two sizes: letter size paper and legal size paper.
Both documents have the same information; the legal size has larger print but you need to have that size paper for your printer.
IMAX Movie:
After viewing the “bones,” visitors can next see these monsters in the “flesh” when they “come to life” as photo-realistic, computer-generated creatures in the IMAX movie “Sea Monsters, A Prehistoric Adventure.” Monsters appear life size on our six-story-tall screen in a film by National Geographic, funded in part by The National Science Foundation.
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Now thru June 2, 2008
Adventure Under the Sea Exhibit!
Meet some of the real undersea animals (like sponges, crabs, and sea stars) that inspired the SpongeBob cartoon characters., and learn about their amazing adaptations Some of them, like the yellow boring sponge, live right here in Long Island Sound. You'll also see color-changing cuttlefish, crabs that can survive out of the water, and giant King Crabs!
"Adventure Under the Sea" is the most fun your family will ever have learning!
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Now thru June 15, 2008
"SpongeBob SquarePants 4-D " adventure ride!
At the core of the "Adventure Under the Sea" exhibit is “SpongeBob Squarepants 4-D,” a zany 4-D adventure ride featuring Bikini Bottom’s favorite porous pal in hot pursuit of a runaway pickle needed to make the perfect Krabby Patty. Wondering what that fourth dimension is? It's bubbles!
$5.50 (for ride only) in addition to Aquarium admission.
All riders must be at least 36 inches tall to board and in good health.
Groups
Reservations are required to guarantee admission.
Group tickets: $4.50 per person plus aquarium admission fee.
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| Kids... It's an Adventure Under the Sea Search Activity!
Have your kids bring this exhibit search activity along on their next visit and use it to enhance their "Adventure Under the Sea" experience.
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