| |
Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Browse By Category
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Help & Info
Local Parenting is your guide for local goods and services for your children and family.
Email: info@localparenting.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Miami Seaquarium
Come out to Miami Seaquarium for a wonderful day of family fun. We've got some exciting shows, great exhibits and enjoyable, educational presentations in our beautifully landscaped park overlooking Biscayne Bay. All the entertainment is included in the price of admission. So don't miss the fun. The Flipper Dolphin Show, takes place at the Flipper Lagoon, film location for much of the popular 1960s television show of the same name. The Flipper dolphins demonstrate the grace and intelligence of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins.The show includes jumps, spins, tailwalks and flips, all choreographed to music and accompanied by lively and informative narration. Audience participation segments allow guests to have a hands-on experience with the animals. Attractions Caretta Caretta
Known for their unusually large head, the loggerhead is the most widely seen sea turtle in South Florida. Although it is the only species of sea turtle that is listed as threatened, it is still very much in danger of extinction. | | Dermochelys Coriacea
The leatherback is often referred to as the champion of all sea turtles. It grows the largest, dives the deepest, and travels the furthest. Leatherbacks are also the only sea turtle without a hard shell, making them very susceptible to harm. | | Chelonia Mydas
One of the largest of the eight species of sea turtle, the green turtle used to be common throughout warmer waters of the world. Today, its numbers are a fraction of what they once were due to the severe hunting for their colorful shells and meat. | | Eretmochelys Imbricata
Often recognized by its beautiful starburst pattern on the carapace, it is also the greatest threat to the Hawksbills survival. Mans poaching is the main reason for its decline in numbers. A hawksbill shell can bring $450 per pound, not including leather, perfume, and jewelry by products! | | | Sea turtles have inhabited the earths waters for millions of years. Currently, six of the eight recognized species of sea turtle can be found in waters surrounding the United States. The leatherback, green, hawksbill, black, loggerhead, and Kemps ridley can be found in the US, while the olive ridley and the Australian flatback cannot. | | | Orcinus Orca
Although called a whale, the killer whale actually belongs to the dolphin family of marine mammals. The killer whale, or orca, has been made famous through conservation efforts in the 1970s, as well as, the popularity of the species residing in marine life parks.
Size: Killer whales are the largest member of the dolphin family. They can reach lengths of 25 to 30 feet and weigh up to 10 tons.
 Distribution: Found from the polar regions to the equator, killer whales are highly adaptable to their environment. It is not unusual to find killer whales among ice flows, as well as in bays and estuaries.
Diet: Killer whales are known as the wolves of the sea for their fierce and cooperative hunting practices. Their varied prey includes seals, fish, turtles, squid, seabirds, and other whales and dolphins.
Predators: Humans are the killer whales main predator.
Gestation: By 10 years of age, both male and female killer whales have reached sexual maturity. After a gestation period of 17 months (the longest of all cetaceans), a calf is born. Twin births have been observed, but are rare. Calves are generally weaned from their mothers milk by age one. Unlike other dolphin species, both male and female killer whales will remain with their mother for the remainder of their lives. Within the pod, sub-pods may form when daughters have offspring of their own. These family units can range is size from 3 to 25 individuals. 
Status: Healthy Populations
Fun Facts: Every pod of killer whales has its own unique dialect of sounds with which they use to communicate with one another.
| | | Pacific White-Sided Dolphin |  |  |  | | Lagenorhynchus Obliquidens
Because of their striking black and white colorings, Pacific white-sided dolphins are often mistaken for baby killer whales. This species of dolphin, also known as lags, is a true dolphin species of the Family Delphinidae. Size: Being one of the smaller dolphin species, they can grow to about 7 ft in length and can weight up to 350 lbs.  Distribution: Pacific white-sided dolphins are found in the offshore temperate waters of the northern Pacific Ocean. They prefer deep water with surface temperatures between 42 and 63 F. Diet: Common prey includes various species of fish and squid. Predators: Predators of these dolphins include killer whales and sharks. Gestation: Calves are born in summer or fall following a gestation period of about one year. When born, calves are about 3 feet in length. Status: Healthy Populations Fun Facts: Pacific white-sided dolphins are one the oceans most acrobatic performers. They can jump as high as 20 feet in the air and reach speeds of over 25 mph. | | Tursiops Truncatus
Bottlenose dolphins are one of the most popular and well known cetacean species in society today. Because of their ability to adapt to human care, as well as learn new behaviors, they are the most studied of all dolphin species. Size: Adult body length varies from 6.5 ft to 13 ft with males being slightly larger than females  Distribution: Bottlenose dolphins are found along almost every tropical and temperate coast between 40 degrees north latitude and 45 degrees south latitude. Some populations will make seasonal migrations. Diet: They feed on a variety of sea life including: fish, shrimp, squid, and various other invertebrates. Predators: Predators of bottlenose dolphins include: sharks, killer whales, and humans. Gestation: Following a gestation period of about 12 months, a calf is born. In most cases the baby will be born tail first to avoid possible drowning. Young will remain with their mothers and nurse for up to 18 months. Status: Healthy Populations Fun Facts: Bottlenose dolphins are named for their snout. When viewed in profile, the snout extends from the head like the neck of a bottle. | | Phoca Vitulina
Shy, graceful harbor seals are the ballet dancers of the water world. Although awkward on land, they excel at swimming. Harbor Seals often perform coordinated barrel rolls, twists, and leaps.
Size: Adults grow to be 5 to 6 feet in length and up to 300 pounds in weight. 
Distribution: Harbor seals are found from the Arctic to Baja California, in the Atlantic Ocean (Greenland to Florida), and European waters. They prefer estuaries and rivers where sand bars and beaches are exposed at low tide.
Diet: Common prey includes various species of fish, squid, and crustaceans.
Predators: Predators of harbor seals include killer whales and sharks.
Gestation: Males and females reach sexual maturity between 3 and 6 years of age. After delayed implantation and a gestation period of 9 to11 months, a single pup is born. 
Status: Healthy Population
Fun Facts: Unlike most pinnipeds, harbor seals are mostly solitary and rarely interact with other seals.
| | Zalophus californianus
California sea lions are best known for their intelligence, playfulness, and dog-like barking. Often mistaken for trained seals, California sea lions can be readily seen performing throughout zoos and aquariums today.
Size: Adults can reach from 6-8 feet in length and weigh up to 600 pounds. Mature male California sea lions are significantly larger than females. 
Distribution: California sea lions are found on rocky and sandy shorelines from southern British Columbia to northern Mexico. Breeding occurs on offshore islands. During the non-breeding season, males will migrate north, while females remain at their breeding grounds or move south.
Diet: California sea lions feed mainly on squids, octopuses, and various fish. During non-breeding season, adults will eat 5 to 8% of their body weight each day. Males will often fast while defending their territory during the breeding months.
Predators: Killer whales and large sharks are the major predators of the California sea lion.
Gestation: Following a gestation period of about 11 months, a single pup is born. Delayed implantation of 2 to 3 months ensures that most pups are born in the month of June. Immediately after birth, the female vocalizes with her pup for up to 20 minutes to form a bond. 
Status: Healthy Populations
Fun Facts: Sea lions get their name from their loud lion-like roar. Some males even grow a thick mane of fur around their necks.
| | Page 1 of 3 Trichechus Manatus Latirostris
One of the important animals that live along the Florida coast and in its rivers is the Florida manatee. Manatees are non-aggressive, non-territorial herbivores that spend most of their time feeding (6 8 hours a day) and resting (2 12 hours a day). The remainder of the day is spent traveling, investigating objects and interacting with other manatees.
Size & Weight: Manatees can reach lengths of 15 feet and weigh up to 3,600 pounds. The average length is 10 feet and the average weight is 1,200 pounds. Females tend to be larger than males. 
Distribution: All living sirenians are found in warm tropical and subtropical waters. The range of the Florida Manatee is primarily peninsular Florida but extends as far north as Virginia and as far west as Mississippi.
Coloration: Manatees are grayish-brown; organisms such as algae can grow on the skin of these slow moving animals giving them a green hue.
Diet: Manatees are herbivores that feed on sea grasses and other aquatic plants. They graze 7 10 hours a day and consume approximately 10% of their body weight each day. They are important in keeping down the populations of floating plants that can clog Floridas inland waterways. Here at Miami Seaquarium our manatees are fed lettuce, yams, apples, bananas, and carrots. These high caloric foods help with the rehabilitation process.
Predators: Manatees have no known predators, other than man.
Social Behavior: They are generally solitary creatures who congregate to mate and find warm water areas in the winter. They are often seen gathering around the mouths of warm water outflow pipes that come from power plants. 
Reproduction / Gestation: The gestation period of the Florida Manatee is about 13 months. Manatees reach maturity between 5 9 years of age. One calf is born to healthy females every two to three years. Calves are approximately 4 feet long and weigh 60 - 70 pounds at birth. Manatees do not seem to have a mating season as births occur throughout the year. The calf stays with its mother and nurses for 2 years.
| | Page 1 of 2 There are over 30 species of pinnipeds including seals, sea lions, and walruses. Thriving in both populated and unpopulated regions of the world, these feather footed marine mammals are well adapted to life on both land and sea.
Size and Weight: Pinnipeds come in a variety of sizes and shapes. The smallest pinniped, the ringed seal, rarely exceeds 5 feet in length and 150s pound in weight. Walruses can grow to be up to 12 feet in length and weigh up to 4000 pounds. The northern elephant seal, however, is the largest member of the pinniped family. Males can reach a length of 21 feet and a weight of 7,780 pounds!
Distribution: Found throughout the world, pinnipeds have adapted well to life both in and out of water. Time spent on land and ice consists of mating, resting, and molting. Known as the worlds best divers, pinnipeds will dive to great depths while hunting and playing. Some pinnipeds hold their breath for up to 43 minutes while diving. By slowing their heartbeat and reducing blood flow, they can drop their oxygen use by one-third. The northern elephant seal can dive to depths of almost 1,000 feet and stay submerged for more than 40 minutes.
Coloration: Depending on the species, pinnipeds can range in color from grey, brown, tan, white, and black. Assorted color patterns include: rings, spots, and solid tones.
Diet: All members of the pinniped family are carnivorous. Their diet ranges from krill, fish, and crustaceans to sea birds and other pinnipeds. The walrus can eat up to 6,000 clams in one feeding.
Predators: Pinniped predators include marine mammals such as killer whales and polar bears, as well as several shark species. Although now regulated, pinnipeds continue to be a source of food and wealth for humans.
| |  Youve heard the mysterious legends and fascinating facts about one of the worlds most magnificent marine mammals now you can experience these animals hands-on through our Swim With Our Dolphins program.
Participants have the unique opportunity to take part in this exciting new program which is designed to teach about the physiology, behavior and natural history of dolphins in an experience not available through printed pages, film or television.
Guests will be able to not only SEE with their eyes, but also, TOUCH with their hands and LEARN with their minds what the dolphin is all about.
Join the Miami Seaquarium Marine Mammal Training Staff for an exciting two-hour program that offers an insightful glance at dolphin behavior up-close. Uncover interesting facts about these extraordinary animals, then slip into one of our wetsuits and follow trainers into the water for a one-on-one interaction with a dolphin! |  The Swim With Our Dolphins Program is an educational two-hour experience. As part of the program you will receive a brief tour of Miami Seaquarium, a presentation by an animal trainer, followed by a question and answer session. After, you will be given time to suit up and prepare for your dolphin interaction.
Twelve Participants will be split into two groups and accompanied by trainers to the Flipper Lagoon. Your interaction will include: feeding, touching and training sessions. You will also be able to take "rides" with our dolphins across the lagoon. Dolphin interaction is approximately 30 minutes.
The program fee (taxes not included), the parking fee, admission to the park to enjoy all the shows and exhibits before or after your swim and refreshments at the end of the program. Participants going in the water also receive a souvenir towel. The park is open 9:30AM to 6PM every day.
The program is available daily for three sessions each day at 8:30 am, 12:00PM and 3:30PM. Anyone arriving more than 20 minutes late will have to reschedule at an additional charge of $25. Program fee is nonrefundable and your reservation is valid for one year from the purchase date. | Miami Seaquarium4400 Rickenbacker Causeway Key Biscayne, FL 33149
Map305-361-5705 www.MiamiSeaquarium.com
|
|
|
