Salt Water Aquariums
Florida's Gulfarium features several large capacity tropical fish aquariums. They offer an accurate sample look into the life of marine reef ecosystems, found around the world. These saltwater aquariums provide homes to: sea anemones, sea urchins, live coral rock, several moray eel species, sea stars, a variety of crabs, and tropical fish from the Gulf of Mexico and around the world.
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The Living Sea
In 1955, Florida’s Gulfarium pioneered the techniques used in obtaining, filtering, and maintaining crystal clarity of the Gulf of Mexico saltwater. This technology was used to create the the Living Sea exhibit in 1956. The Living Sea is a panorama of sea life found in local waters and is located in a 60,000 gallon aquarium of circulating water.
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Dune Lagoon
Our Dune Lagoon could also be called Pelican Pond. This area provides a sanctuary to some of the injured birds we've cared for at Florida's Gulfarium. It's not unusual to see "Peg Leg," a one legged Great Blue Heron perched atop a nearby fence post. Several juvenile and adult Brown Pelicans call Dune Lagoon their home. During the winter months, it is common for Buffleheads, Cormorants, and other birds to stop and rest at Dune Lagoon during their annual migrations.
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Fort Gator
Fort Gator is our exhibit that features a large male American Alligator. This fenced in exhibit provides a perfect habitat for this animal. He has a swampy pond to hide in as he lies submerged beneath the water line. It's always fun trying to decide if that "rock" in the water is the 'gator or actually a rock! Our gator also has trees to shade himself with, sandy areas to sun himself with, and grassy areas to just relax in
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Loggerhead Turtles
Our loggerhead turtles play an important role in our efforts to educate the general public about marine life. Florida's Gulfarium is part of the Turtle Stranding Network, and the turtles we have on exhibit were rescued from the wild. They suffered life altering injuries and are not fit to be returned to the wild. They do receive a tremendous amount of care and are an excellent tool that helps us teach our visitors about endangered marine life species.
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North American River Otters
While North American River Otters aren't exactly a marine species, Florida's Gulfarium just couldn't pass up providing a home for these adorable animals. They actually belong to the Weasel family but many of our visitors confuse them for baby sea lions. They may look cute and cuddly but our otters are far from innocent little creatures. Our animal keepers have to stay alert at all times when entering their home. They are extremely inquisitive, playing with and usually destroying most of their toys. They are very sociable and seem to enjoy being the center of attention as they frolic and wrestle with each other.
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Seal and Sea Lion Rookery
The Seal and Sea Lion Rookery is a unique exhibit of Florida's Gulfarium. It is the home to large male California Sea Lions, Grey Seals, and Harbor Seals. Each of these different species lives in perfect harmony with one another. The rookery has been used to establish a successful breeding colony with our California Sea Lions. You can compare and contrast the physical differences between seals and seal lions, that you'll learn about in the Sea Lion Show. It's easy to admire the beauty and grace in their almost effortless, but quite different, swimming styles. On occasion, you may even be able to witness our trainers teaching the animals show behaviors during the animal's feeding times.
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Shark Moat
Nurse Sharks and Lemon Sharks are 2 species of sharks that can be found in the local Gulf of Mexico waters. You will also find them in the Shark Moat of Florida's Gulfarium. These 2 species of sharks are examples of bottom-dwelling sharks. While resting still on the bottom, they can vent water over their gills. They do not need to swim in order to breath like most other sharks. But the water never remains still when it's feeding time! You can see and hear the unique eating habits of each of these species.
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Sting Ray Pool
When people think of stingrays, they often think of a large animal with a deadly tail. While stingrays can inflict painful wounds with their tail, they are not aggressive or life-threatening animals. Our staff members constantly swim among the rays when it is time to clean and scrub the exhibit pool. Our exhibit features Southern stingrays, Yellow stingrays, and Blue-spotted stingrays. Our large pool makes it easy to compare and contrast their size, colors, and shapes. The stingray pool also provides a home to blue crabs, horseshoe crabs, and different kinds of small cleaner fish that help keep algae growth to a minimum.
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Touch Pool
Our touch pool is always a kids' favorite. Children of all ages, including adults, can get their hands wet and explore the extreme differences between the top and under sides of horseshoe crabs. You can pick up a beautiful sea shell and be surprised to find a hermit crab living inside it. Horseshoe crabs, live sand dollars, and sea stars are some of the other creatures that inhabit our touch pool.
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Tropical Birds
While birds aren't marine mammals, no marine life park would be complete without an exhibit for the animals that prefer a drier habitat. The tropical birds of Florida's Gulfarium have native habitats of Indonesia, Africa, and South America. This exhibit features: Cockatoos, an African Grey Parrot, and Sun Conures.
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Tropical Penguins
"Tropical Penguins? But I thought penguins only lived where it is cold?" This is a popular misconception that many people have about penguins. Not all penguins live in the cold polar regions. The Humboldt and Blackfoot penguins you'll see at Florida's Gulfarium have a native habitat in South America. Some of them even live near the equator. Our penguins enjoy swimming in their pool and socializing with one another around feeding time. Occasionally, you can hear them communicate with one another using a donkey-like bray.
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