Jump to content

Children's Aquarium at Fair Park

Coordinates: 32°46′37″N 96°45′36″W / 32.777°N 96.760°W / 32.777; -96.760
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Children's Aquarium at Fair Park
Map
32°46′37″N 96°45′36″W / 32.777°N 96.760°W / 32.777; -96.760
Date opened1936[1]
LocationDallas, Texas, US
Major exhibitsFreshwater Zone, Intertidal Zone, Shore Zone, Near Shore Zone, Offshore Zone, Stingray Bay[2]
Websitewww.childrensaquarium.com
Map Map

The Children's Aquarium Dallas (Formally known as the Children's Aquarium at Fair Park) is an aquarium located in Fair Park, Dallas, Texas, USA. It opened in 1936 as part of the Texas Centennial Exposition,[1] becoming the first Public Aquarium in the state of Texas. The aquarium received an $8 million renovation in 2010.[1] The Aquarium has six exhibit areas.

Freshwater Zone

[edit]

The Freshwater Zone is located in the displays, Red-eared sliders, a Northern caiman lizard, an alligator snapping turtle, Longnose gars, electric eels.,[2] an Axolotl, Schneider's skink Sheltopusik, paradise flying snake, Gila trout, and various other freshwater aquatic animals.

Paradise Flying Snake at the Dallas Children's Aquarium

The Intertidal Zone

[edit]

The Intertidal Zone is located in the center of the aquarium and features lined seahorse, upside-down jellyfish, Oriental sweetlips, archerfish, a tank of various cichlids and other various fish.[3] As well as an interactive tank of red garra (also known as Doctor Fish)

Shore Zone

[edit]

Located to the left of the aquarium; The Shore Zone displays spiny lobsters, Toadfish, and batfish, rhinoceros iguana,[4] clownfish, goatfish, four-eyed fish, red lionfish, big-belly seahorse, and more.

Near Shore

[edit]

Immediately following The Shore Zone, the Near Shore Zone displays Wolf eels, whitespotted bamboo shark, Laced moray, Atlantic sea nettles, Jellyfish, Peacock clownfish.[5]

Offshore Zone

[edit]

The Offshore Zone is located at the far left of the aquarium and features among other animals Porcupinefish, blacktip sharks, laced morays, Common seadragon, and swell sharks.[6]

Stingray Bay

[edit]

Stingray Bay allows guests to feed and pet cownose rays, while seeing southern stingrays, zebra sharks, Bonnethead sharks, and Mahi-mahi[1] As well as a plans for a new interactive tank featuring Starfish, Sea urchin Slipper lobsters, and others to open in 2022.

Guests can book birthday parties and overnight parties that include a talk with an employee that includes a live animal and preserved parts of marine animals. Guests of the party can also feed the stingrays at Stingray Bay. Many field trips also visit the aquarium. The aquarium hosts summer and winter day camps for children in grades Pre-K to 5.

Zebra Shark at the Dallas Children's Aquarium

Temporary closure

[edit]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Aquarium was permanently closed until the ZoOceanarium Group bought the aquarium on July 23, 2021. The aquarium reopened on September 24, 2021. There are currently plans for new exhibits in 2022.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "Children's Aquarium at Fair Park". Archived from the original on 24 November 2011. Retrieved 24 November 2011.
  2. ^ a b "Freshwater Zone". Retrieved 24 November 2011.
  3. ^ "Intertidal Zone". Archived from the original on 24 November 2011. Retrieved 24 November 2011.
  4. ^ "Shore Zone". Retrieved 24 November 2011.
  5. ^ "Near Shore Zone". Retrieved 24 November 2011.
  6. ^ "Offshore Zone". Archived from the original on 24 November 2011. Retrieved 24 November 2011.
[edit]