Dallas World Aquarium facts for kids
Dallas World Aquarium
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| Date opened | October 18, 1992 |
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| Location | Dallas, Texas, USA |
| Coordinates | 32°47′0.44″N 96°48′18.46″W / 32.7834556°N 96.8051278°W |
| Memberships | AZA, WAZA |
The Dallas World Aquarium is a unique place in Dallas, Texas, USA. It's both an aquarium and a zoo! This special spot helps protect animals and teaches people about them. Many animals living here are endangered, meaning they are at risk of disappearing forever. The aquarium works with other zoos to help these animals have babies and grow their populations. It has been a trusted member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums since 1997. It is also part of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Contents
The Story of the Dallas World Aquarium
The Dallas World Aquarium first opened its doors in October 1992. It was built inside an old warehouse from 1924. The building was completely redone on the inside to create amazing animal habitats.
In 1997, a new area called "The Orinoco - Secrets of the River" opened. It was in another old warehouse right next door. The space between the two buildings became a cool divide. It separated the freshwater exhibits from the saltwater ones.
Later, in May 2000, the aquarium bought an empty piece of land. This was for its first brand-new building. The "Mundo Maya" exhibit opened there in August 2004.
Explore the Amazing Exhibits
The Dallas World Aquarium has many exciting areas to explore. Each one takes you to a different part of the world. You can see animals from rainforests, cloud forests, and even the deep ocean.
Orinoco: Secrets of the River
This exhibit takes you on a journey through a rainforest. The top level shows you what it's like in the rainforest canopy. You can see many birds in aviaries and monkeys in their enclosures. The middle level is home to animals that live in the forest's understory. The lowest level features huge Amazonian fish and gentle manatees.
Cloud Forest Trek: A Misty Adventure
The Cloud Forest Trek is one of the newest exhibits. It opened in November 2021. This area uses a special LED video screen. It can change from day to night, making it feel like a real rainforest. Here, you can see three-toed sloths. The Dallas World Aquarium is the only place in the United States where you can see these amazing animals. You'll also discover many other animals from the Andes mountains.
Mundo Maya: Journey to Central America
This gallery showcases tropical and marine animals. They are all native to Mexico and Central America. A highlight of this area is a massive 400,000-gallon tank. It has a tunnel that visitors can walk through. This "Shark Tunnel" lets you get up close with sharks and stingrays swimming all around you!
Underwater Worlds: The Aquarium Section
The lower level of the aquarium is filled with tanks. These tanks are home to fish, sea anemones, coral, jellyfish, and other sea creatures. They come from oceans all over the world. There are 10 main tanks, each showing aquatic life from different places. These include Japan, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, British Columbia, Fiji, Palau, Southern Australia, Lord Howe Island, and the Solomon Islands. Another large tank has a 40-foot tunnel. Here, you can watch fish from the continental shelf swim above and around you.
Learning and Education
The Dallas World Aquarium is also a partner in a special program. It works with local companies and the Dallas Public School district. Many of the aquarium's employees are also students. They attend the School of Business and Management at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Magnet High School. This program helps students learn real-world business skills. They get to help run one of the city's biggest attractions. It's a great way to prepare for future careers!
Images for kids
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A black-chinned emperor tamarin
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Three Xingu River rays
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A colorful red-breasted toucan
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A beautiful but venomous Lionfish
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Looking up at the underside of a shark from the tunnel
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A clownfish hiding in an anemone
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Graceful Flamingos
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One of the many plant species found at the aquarium
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