Save The Bay’s Exploration Center and Aquarium highlights amazing adaptations, receives a rare orange lobster this October
NEWPORT, R.I. – Oct. 16, 2019 – This October, Save The Bay’s Exploration Center and Aquarium highlights the amazing adaptations of marine life found in Narragansett Bay. With the guidance of expert staff and volunteers, guests will learn about the importance of adaptations as they observe fascinating species that have undergone special changes to ensure survival. This month’s themed activities also include a scavenger hunt, craft, and storytime.
In addition, visitors will have the opportunity to see the center’s three new Pristigyns alta, otherwise known as short bigeye fish, which were recently rescued by Save The Bay in August. Although their coloring might seem like it would be a target to predators, they have an amazing adaptation that makes their orange coloration the perfect camouflage. As light enters the water column, red light waves are filtered out first – this leaves animals that are a shade of red very difficult to see, helping them evade predators. These short bigeyes also have, as their name suggests, a very big set of eyes which have been adapted over thousands of years of evolution to capture what little light enters their habitat, making them a formidable predator in their deepwater ecosystem. Adaptations are not a guarantee, however, as Save The Bay also welcomes a new, rare lobster with a bright orange coloration that makes it 1 in 30 million. Recently-molted, this unique lobster currently appears even more vibrant than usual.
Younger guests can also participate in a scavenger hunt around the aquarium for animals with special adaptations, craft their own adaptations and wear them, and sit in on a storytime reading of Suzanne Tate’s Skippy Scallop: A Tale of Bright Blue Eyes.
Guests who are interested in getting an even closer look at Bay creatures can purchase tickets to this month’s Feeding Frenzy, taking place on Thursday, October 17 at 5 p.m. This exciting after-hours event allows guests to participate in the aquarium creatures’ favorite time of day: feeding time. Tickets ($10 general admission; $8 for Save The Bay members) can be purchased at savebay.org/feedingfrenzy.
The Exploration Center and Aquarium is located in the Easton’s Beach Rotunda at 175 Memorial Blvd. in Newport, Rhode Island. The center is open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Labor Day-Memorial Day, including R.I Public School Holidays and February and April Vacations. General admission to the Aquarium is $8; $7 for seniors and college students with ID; and free for children under 3 and Save The Bay Family members. The Exploration Center and Aquarium also now offers free general admission to all military and first responders with current ID, as well as a reduced admission of $7 for their guests.
For more information about the Exploration Center and Aquarium, visit savebay.org/aquarium or call 401-324-6020. The Exploration Center and Aquarium is supported, in part, by Corvias Solutions.
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About Save The Bay: Founded in 1970, Save The Bay is currently celebrating 50 years of advocacy, education, and restoration efforts in its mission to protect and improve Narragansett Bay and its watershed. An 18-month celebration marks the anniversary with special events and a capital campaign to unite the community and lay the foundation for Save The Bay’s continued work toward a fully swimmable, fishable, healthy Narragansett Bay, accessible to everyone and globally recognized as an environmental treasure.