February is Fantastic at the Aquariums❗

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February 2022

Visitors to the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher will find themselves mesmerized by the new South Atlantic White Shrimp exhibit.

These crustaceans stay busy, with 10 long and slender walking legs and five pairs of swimming legs. Here are five things to know about our newest aquarium inhabitants:

  1. White shrimp can jump from the water to evade predators, using a rapid tail flex — a snapping action that propels them backward. 
  2. Their bodies are light gray, with green on the tail and a yellow band across the abdomen.
  3. They have longer antennae than other shrimp (often 3 times longer than their bodies).
  4. White shrimp grow fairly fast, depending on such factors as water temperature and salinity, reaching up to 7 or 8 inches in length.
  5. They can reproduce when they reach about 5½ inches long.

As with all the creatures in the Aquarium, the white shrimp’s conservation is a priority. A key concern is how their survival relates to other species. Some important sustainability facts:

  • White Shrimp are a commercially significant species, commonly fished throughout the East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico. 
  • Their populations are considered healthy, but other threatened or endangered species can be accidentally caught by shrimp trawlers. 
  • Careful regulation of shrimp fisheries, including the requirement of turtle excluder devices to prevent accidental catch of sea turtles, can make this a more sustainable fishery.
 

Coming soon to the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher: Caribbean Coral Reef, Atlantic Sea Nettles, and Screech Owl Habitats!

 

Ton of Love

The Aquarium on Roanoke Island continues its annual Ton of Love food drive to benefit the Roanoke Island Food Pantry, through Feb. 14. Guests bringing a grocery bag full of nonperishable food items can receive one free admission

per reservation. Our goal is to donate ONE TON of food this year. Show the love with a donation and explore the aquarium! 

Family Paint Nights

Starting Feb. 25, dive into an ocean of color with Family Paint Nights at the Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. Choose from three dates and three different paintings. Wine and Design of Morehead City will provide supplies, and

participants can bring their favorite snacks and non-alcoholic beverages! 

Forest Fairies to Sea Serpents

Get your glitter and wings ready for Forest Fairies to Sea Serpents Day at the Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, March 5! Learn the facts behind familiar myths and participate in fun crafts and activities. Costumes encouraged!

Sea Dreams Gallery 

The Sea Dreams exhibit runs through April 4 at the Aquarium at Fort Fisher. Young people explore the theme “Art Sustains,” an art challenge hosted by Dreams Center for Art Education, a non-profit committed to assuring every child has the right to creative self-expression.

Plan Ahead for Your Visit 

Visiting the Aquarium is as easy as 1-2-3! 

  1. Book Your Reservation Online (Required) 
  2. Wear a Mask (Required - 5 and up) 
  3. Check in at the ticket window! 
 

YOUR PICTURE could be featured in our monthly SEAmail. Just share a photo of you with an item from our online Gift Shop and tag us @NCAquariumRI! A winning photo will be chosen each month to showcase in SEAmail.

If you would like to sign up for SEAmail at our other locations, 

click here to subscribe

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1-800-832-FISH (3474)

1-800-832-FISH (3474)