Tarpon Springs Aquarium facts for kids
| Date opened | 1990 |
|---|---|
| Location | Tarpon Springs, Florida United States |
| Total volume of tanks | 150,000 gallons |
The Tarpon Springs Aquarium is a super fun place to visit in Tarpon Springs, Florida! It's located at 1722 North Pinellas Ave. This aquarium offers many exciting shows and chances to get up close with animals. You can even hold an alligator or hand-feed a stingray! The aquarium is open every day from 10 AM to 5 PM. A family has owned and run this cool place since 1990.
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Plan Your Visit
Want to explore the aquarium? You can buy tickets for just one day or get a yearly pass if you plan to visit often. For the most up-to-date ticket prices and other details, check out their official website at tarponspringsaquarium.com.
Awesome Animal Exhibits
The Tarpon Springs Aquarium has many different areas where you can see and learn about amazing animals. Get ready to meet creatures from the sea and land!
Touch Pool Fun
Right when you walk into the aquarium, you'll find a special touch pool. This is where you can gently touch some cool creatures! You might meet diamond-back terrapin turtles, hermit crabs, sea urchins, and even horseshoe crabs. It's a great way to feel what these animals are like.
Alligator Alley
Get ready to see some incredible alligators! This exhibit is near the front of the aquarium. You'll find both a younger American alligator and a full-grown adult. There's also an Alligator snapping turtle here. Sometimes, the staff will let guests carefully pet the back of the younger alligator. It's a really unique experience!
Shark Tank Thrills
Dive into the world of sharks in the large shark tank! This big tank is home to many different kinds of sharks that live around Florida. You can watch them swim and learn about these powerful ocean predators.
Gulf of Mexico Giants
Discover what lives in the nearby Gulf of Mexico in this huge tank. You'll see amazing fish like the shiny Atlantic tarpon and the spiky porcupinefish. Keep an eye out for the giant Goliath grouper! These fish are all found in the waters near Florida.
Snake Safari
Are you brave enough to meet some snakes? The snake enclosures display many different types of snakes. One of the most impressive is a very long, 15-foot Burmese Python! There are several enclosures, and some even have more than one snake. The aquarium also has snake shows where visitors can sometimes touch a large python.
Stingray Bay
Get ready for a splash at the stingray pool! This pool is home to Atlantic stingrays and Cownose rays. The best part is that you can gently touch these smooth creatures. You can even buy food to feed the stingrays, which is a super cool experience!
Shark Feeding Frenzy
Ever wanted to feed a shark? At the shark feeding pool, you can! Guests get to use long tongs to feed multiple young Nurse sharks. It's a safe and exciting way to interact with these fascinating sharks.
