Shedd Aquarium-Go Now!!!

[greendeltatke]

For anyone near the Chicago area- the Shedd Aquarium turns 75 years old this year. :bday: If you haven't been there in the last few years, go again! You will be blown over by the improvements. First up is the Amazon Rising exhibit. Its at least 500 feet of South American biotopes. They do a great job of making naturalistic settings that include reptiles, frogs, fish and birds. There must be a hundred species of fish just in that one exhibit. (I even saw what looks like an authentic julli cory!)

The new Wild Reef is twice that size. It recreates a Philipines reef system. Most of the computer information displays are already broken, but the animals are amazing. Today they had shark eggs on display, so my kids got to see the huge embryos wiggling inside.

There is also a new sea horse and other pipe fish display near the front. Throw in an oddly located Blue Cayman iguana breeding pair in the African waters area. Soon there will be a new crab exhibit. I was very impressed with the staff at the Shedd. In all of the displays there a few educators around who are very nice to kids and even adults with strange questions.

Okay, long post, I know. And I promise I don't work for the Shedd! I just felt the need to spread the word. It is right here in Chicago and it is spectacular.

 

[125gJoe]

For anyone near the Chicago area- .. ... It is right here in Chicago and it is spectacular.

You'd think the land of the Mouse (Orlando), would have something to show...
..Not.
Post pics please!! Sounds nice..!

 

[sublime1184]

I have been waiting to to finda a good day, but I will have to go this upcoming weekend or the next, to beat some summer crowds.....I heard they have a black piranha which i would love to see, being the piranha lover that I am....I will make it our there soon

 

[nursie]

Wow...We've not been up for years! My kids were preschool/gradeschool age. Might be a good time to check it out! Any maybe check out Sublime's tank he's trying to sell if I'm on the neighborhood.

 

[greendeltatke]

We usually go on Sunday mornings first thing- 9 am. It doesn't start to get crowded until 11:00. Plus, parking is $9 before 9:30 am. I won't tell you how much it costs after that.

Nursie, I think you'd also like the sting rays in the Wild Reef exhibit. (Didn't you post once that you like them?) Of course you can just buy some while you're up here. $400 each at Scot's Pet Shop in Westchester.

 

[sublime1184]

I work in westchester and have been meaning to look into LFS' around there...thanks for the tips, I look forward to a visit there!

 

[nursie]

Greendeltatke..thanks for the tips!!!
We are actually talking about going up. We have to go help my folks clean out my uncle's house in Dekalb, so would be a good reason to move on Sunday! We used to have friends that lived downtown, but they moved to Seattle years ago so we really haven't done much in the area since.
And you're right... I saw a fresh water ray in a pet store down here and thought it was really neat. I bet you need at least 100 gal for that to have enough room.

 

[Leopardess]

I wish the Boston Aquarium would update itself and expand. It needs more freshwater sections. I mean, I understand that it does sit on the ocean, so it makes sense to be mainly SW, but I want more than a few tanks of rummy noses! I LOVE the Penguin pool they have. It's almost the entire first floor and its so cool

And before you walk in, you can see a Harbor Seal display with big fat seals. You can walk right up to the glass.

I love aquariums.

 

[sublime1184]

Greendeltatke..thanks for the tips!!!
We are actually talking about going up. We have to go help my folks clean out my uncle's house in Dekalb, so would be a good reason to move on Sunday! We used to have friends that lived downtown, but they moved to Seattle years ago so we really haven't done much in the area since.
And you're right... I saw a fresh water ray in a pet store down here and thought it was really neat. I bet you need at least 100 gal for that to have enough room.

If you're coming up soon and still interested, PM me and I could hold the 29g for ya.