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 special place in downtown Dallas, Texas, USA. It's both an aquarium and a zoo. This amazing spot helps protect many animals that are rare or endangered. They do this by working with other zoos around the world. The aquarium is also a great place for learning! It has been a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums since 1997. It is also part of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Contents
A Look Back: How the Aquarium Started
The Dallas World Aquarium first opened its doors in October 1992. It wasn't built from scratch! Instead, an old warehouse from 1924 was completely redone inside to become the aquarium.
A few years later, in 1997, a new part called "The Orinoco - Secrets of the River" opened. This was in another old warehouse next door. The space between the two buildings became a clear line between the freshwater and saltwater exhibits. In 2004, the "Mundo Maya" exhibit opened. This was the first new building constructed by the aquarium.
Exploring the Amazing Exhibits
The Dallas World Aquarium has many cool areas to explore. Each area shows animals from different parts of the world.
Upper Level: The Orinoco Rainforest
The upper level feels like you're walking through a real Orinoco Rainforest. It's an aviary, which means birds like scarlet ibis and toucans fly freely around you!
As you walk through this rainforest, you can see unique animals. These include three-toed sloths and Antillean manatees. The aquarium is the only place in the United States where you can see these specific manatees. You might also spot electric eels, caecilians, tamarins, poison dart frogs, Orinoco crocodiles, and even vampire bats.
Lower Level: Underwater Worlds
The lower level is all about life under the sea. Here, you'll find many aquariums filled with fish, sea anemones, coral, jellyfish, and other sea creatures. These animals come from oceans around the world.
There are 10 main tanks that show aquatic life from places like Japan, Indonesia, and the Bahamas. One really cool tank has a 40-foot (12 m) tunnel. You can walk through it and watch fish from the continental shelf swim all around you!
Learning at the Aquarium
The Dallas World Aquarium is also a place for learning. It works with local companies and the Dallas Public School district. Many employees at the aquarium are also students from the School of Business and Management. This school is part of Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Magnet High School.
This partnership is a work-study program. It helps students learn real-world business skills. They get to see how a big attraction like the Dallas World Aquarium runs every day. It's a great way for young people to learn about business and animal care at the same time.
Images for kids
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Three Xingu River rays at the Dallas World Aquarium
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The underside of a shark, taken from an under-tank tunnel at the Dallas World Aquarium
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Lionfish at the Dallas World Aquarium
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Orinoco crocodile at the Dallas World Aquarium
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Flamingos at the Dallas World Aquarium
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Black-footed penguin at the Dallas World Aquarium
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