The Aquarium of the Americas

If you haven't been to the Aquarium of the Americas yet you must go. It's great! My grandchildren and I go often to see what's new and to visit the sharks.

Weedy Seadragons

The newest addition to the Aquarium are the four weedy seadragons They are only nine months old and just arrived this spring. Weedy seadragons are in the seahorse family and, like a seahorse, it is the male weedy seadragon that carries the babies.


Unlike seahorses, the male weedy seadragon does not carry eggs in a pouch. Instead, the eggs stick to his underbelly, where they remain until the babies are born. The Aquarium's weedy seadragons are currently five inches in length, but seadragons have been known to grow to 18 inches. Weedy seadragons are cold-water animals found off the southern coast of Australia. The Australian government placed a protection on this species in the 1990s, and their status is listed as near threatened. Their reduced numbers has been blamed on pollution, habitat loss and harvesting for the pet trade.

The Insectarium

Just a short walk away is the Audubon Insectarium. There's bugs, bugs, more bugs and my favorite, a wonderful butterfly garden. Why not make an afternoon of it?