Aquarium of the Pacific
this outstanding aquarium sits on five acres in
Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach, California, housing more than
11,000 marine animals that represent more than 500 various
species and welcomes over 1.5 million visitors each year. The
aquarium concentrates on the Pacific Ocean that is seen in three
permanent galleries that include Baja, Southern California and
the cold waters of the northern Pacific, as well as the
beautiful reefs of the tropical Pacific. Some of the more
popular include the interactive shark lagoon where visitors can
actually pet the sting rays and sharks and the Lorikeet Forest
where they can feed the marvelous lorikeet birds. The many
exciting displays at the aquarium showcase the seascapes and
inhabitants of the Pacific, and still focus on the specific
conservation goals that have been associated with each of the
regions. These tanks range in size and capacity from 5000 to
350,000 gallons of water. It opened a new 4700 square foot
earth-friendly garden on their front lawn that showcases the
California native and drought-resistant plants along with an
excellent and efficient irrigation system so that they can
provide a viable solution to the region's continuing water
shortage problems. Exhibits include the tropical Pacific
gallery, the sea otter habitat, Lorikeet Forest, Molina animal
care center, Northern Pacific gallery, shark lagoon, Southern
California/Baja gallery, our watersheds and Whales: Voices in
the sea.
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