The St. Louis Aquarium is a popular tourist destination in Missouri, attracting millions of visitors every year. As one of the largest aquariums in the United States, it’s natural to wonder about its size and scope. But why is it important to know how big the St. Louis Aquarium is? For one, understanding the aquarium’s size helps visitors plan their trip more effectively, ensuring they have enough time to explore the various exhibits and attractions. Additionally, the aquarium’s size is a testament to its commitment to providing a comprehensive and immersive experience for its visitors. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the details of the St. Louis Aquarium’s size, exploring its various components, exhibits, and features.
Overview of the St. Louis Aquarium
The St. Louis Aquarium is a 120,000-square-foot facility located in the heart of St. Louis, Missouri. It’s part of the Union Station complex, a historic landmark that has been renovated to include a variety of attractions, including the aquarium, a Ferris wheel, and a museum. The aquarium is home to over 13,000 animals representing 465 species from around the world.
Design and Architecture
The St. Louis Aquarium’s design is inspired by the Mississippi River, which runs through the city of St. Louis. The building’s exterior features a wave-like design, evoking the movement of the river. The interior is divided into several distinct areas, each with its own unique theme and design. The aquarium’s architecture is designed to be both functional and visually appealing, with large viewing windows and interactive exhibits that allow visitors to get up close and personal with the animals.
Exhibits and Galleries
The St. Louis Aquarium features several exhibits and galleries, each showcasing a different aspect of aquatic life. Some of the highlights include:
- The Shark Tank: A 250,000-gallon tank featuring a variety of shark species, including sand tiger sharks, bonnethead sharks, and zebra sharks.
- The River Journey: An exhibit that takes visitors on a virtual journey down the Mississippi River, featuring fish and other aquatic animals native to the region.
- The Ocean Tunnel: A 360-degree acrylic tunnel that allows visitors to walk through and observe marine life from all angles.
- The Freshwater Gallery: An exhibit featuring a variety of freshwater fish and other aquatic animals from around the world.
- The Saltwater Gallery: An exhibit showcasing marine life from the world’s oceans, including coral reefs, sea turtles, and colorful fish.
Animal Habitats and Enclosures
The St. Louis Aquarium is home to over 13,000 animals, representing 465 species from around the world. The aquarium’s animal habitats and enclosures are designed to mimic the natural environments of the animals, providing a comfortable and healthy living space for the animals.
Freshwater Habitats
The aquarium’s freshwater habitats are designed to replicate the natural environments of rivers, lakes, and wetlands from around the world. Some of the freshwater habitats include: (See Also: What Is a Low Tech Aquarium? Easy To Maintain)
- The Mississippi River Basin: An exhibit featuring fish and other aquatic animals native to the Mississippi River Basin, including catfish, sturgeon, and paddlefish.
- The Amazon River Basin: An exhibit showcasing the diverse aquatic life of the Amazon River Basin, including piranhas, anacondas, and arapaima.
- The Great Lakes: An exhibit featuring fish and other aquatic animals native to the Great Lakes region, including lake sturgeon, lake trout, and yellow perch.
Saltwater Habitats
The aquarium’s saltwater habitats are designed to replicate the natural environments of coral reefs, estuaries, and open ocean ecosystems from around the world. Some of the saltwater habitats include:
- The Indo-Pacific Reef: An exhibit featuring a variety of fish and invertebrates from the Indo-Pacific region, including clownfish, sea turtles, and colorful coral.
- The Caribbean Reef: An exhibit showcasing the diverse aquatic life of the Caribbean Sea, including parrotfish, angelfish, and sea fans.
- The Open Ocean: An exhibit featuring large predatory fish and other marine animals from the open ocean, including sharks, rays, and sea turtles.
Interactive Experiences and Attractions
The St. Louis Aquarium offers a variety of interactive experiences and attractions that allow visitors to get up close and personal with the animals. Some of the highlights include:
Touch Pools
The aquarium features several touch pools where visitors can interact with marine animals, including:
- The Stingray Touch Pool: A shallow pool where visitors can touch and interact with cownose rays and southern stingrays.
- The Shark Touch Pool: A pool where visitors can touch and interact with small shark species, including bonnethead sharks and epaulette sharks.
Feeding Demonstrations
The aquarium offers daily feeding demonstrations, where visitors can watch animal care staff feed the animals and learn about their diets and habitats. Some of the feeding demonstrations include:
- Shark Feeding: A demonstration where visitors can watch animal care staff feed the sharks in the Shark Tank.
- Sea Turtle Feeding: A demonstration where visitors can watch animal care staff feed the sea turtles in the Ocean Tunnel.
Conservation Efforts and Education
The St. Louis Aquarium is committed to conservation and education, with a variety of programs and initiatives aimed at promoting the health and well-being of aquatic ecosystems and the animals that inhabit them.
Conservation Programs
The aquarium is involved in several conservation programs, including: (See Also: What Is a Dry Aquarium Called? The Ultimate Guide)
- The Shark Conservation Program: A program aimed at promoting the conservation of shark species and their habitats.
- The Sea Turtle Conservation Program: A program aimed at promoting the conservation of sea turtle species and their habitats.
- The Freshwater Conservation Program: A program aimed at promoting the conservation of freshwater ecosystems and the animals that inhabit them.
Education Programs
The aquarium offers a variety of education programs for children and adults, including:
- Scouting Programs: Programs designed for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, focusing on aquatic conservation and education.
- Summer Camps: Programs designed for children, focusing on aquatic education and conservation.
- Adult Education Programs: Programs designed for adults, focusing on aquatic conservation and education.
Recap and Summary
In this blog post, we’ve explored the size and scope of the St. Louis Aquarium, including its exhibits, animal habitats, interactive experiences, and conservation efforts. With over 13,000 animals representing 465 species, the St. Louis Aquarium is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in aquatic life and conservation.
Key Takeaways
- The St. Louis Aquarium is a 120,000-square-foot facility located in the heart of St. Louis, Missouri.
- The aquarium is home to over 13,000 animals representing 465 species from around the world.
- The aquarium features several exhibits, including the Shark Tank, the River Journey, and the Ocean Tunnel.
- The aquarium offers interactive experiences, including touch pools and feeding demonstrations.
- The aquarium is committed to conservation and education, with a variety of programs and initiatives aimed at promoting the health and well-being of aquatic ecosystems and the animals that inhabit them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is the St. Louis Aquarium?
The St. Louis Aquarium is a 120,000-square-foot facility located in the heart of St. Louis, Missouri.
How many animals are in the St. Louis Aquarium?
The St. Louis Aquarium is home to over 13,000 animals representing 465 species from around the world.
What are some of the exhibits in the St. Louis Aquarium?
The St. Louis Aquarium features several exhibits, including the Shark Tank, the River Journey, and the Ocean Tunnel. (See Also: How Much Does a Full 10 Gallon Aquarium Weigh? – Revealed!)
Are there interactive experiences in the St. Louis Aquarium?
Yes, the St. Louis Aquarium offers interactive experiences, including touch pools and feeding demonstrations.
Is the St. Louis Aquarium involved in conservation efforts?
Yes, the St. Louis Aquarium is committed to conservation and education, with a variety of programs and initiatives aimed at promoting the health and well-being of aquatic ecosystems and the animals that inhabit them.