Last month, we drove out to Riverhead, Long Island to spend the day at the Atlantis Marine World Aquarium. The real event was to be held that evening (more on that later), but we decided it was a good opportunity to do something different. It’s a tiny aquarium, compared to the massive Monterey Bay Aquarium in CA, but it was still fascinating to see all the fish and learn new things about marine life.
In front of the aquarium, there are chubby seals to greet aquarium visitors.
The Ray Bay is a stingray petting pool - just tapping your fingers on the edge attracts them, and you can reach in and pet their heads. They were smooth and kinda squishy soft.
Matthew also made friends with the rays.
Giant blue lobster
The pirhanas were floating, not swimming, and most of them were looking in the same direction.
Stingray underbelly (I always thought they looked like they were smiling).
The shark tank was dark and ominous. Despite the fact that they were behind glass, they were quite intimidating as they swam by.
My, what big teeth you have!
Electric eels can produce up to 600 volts! Interesting fact: these creatures aren’t really eels - they are more closely related to goldfish.
Seahorses
This coral reef is the largest closed-system display in the Western Hemisphere. It was certainly my favorite part of the aquarium, full of color and life!
Close-up of a fish
African Penguins in the outdoor Penguin Pavilion
This guy was loud!
We got to watch the sea lion performance. Java waves hello to his audience.
And shows off his extra long neck.
And barks on command.
Why are there snow monkeys at an aquarium?
African spur thigh tortoises are the largest African mainland tortoises. They can live up to 100 years!
A replica jaw of a megalodon, a giant prehistoric shark estimated to have been over 50 feet long!
On our way out, we said goodbye to the seals, who were sleeping on the rock.