Mote Marine Aquarium

Going to the Mote Marine Aquarium in Sarasota is a tradition. We have gone every year. Skyeler was just a little squirt the first time. Her favorite thing...Edgar the turtle. Each visit we look forward to seeing him again, just like an old friend. Mote Aquarium is just a small aquarium, which means it is the perfect size for us. On one side of the street is the aquarium which houses different tanks of sea life, most (if not all) found on Florida's Gulf Coast. Horseshoe crabs, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, and a few other sea creatures are hands-on in their large touch pool. You can observe sharks from the tank below or look down into the tank from above. A special pool houses the "petting pool" for the sting rays. Dan's favorite was the preserved giant squid. :) Across the street from the aquarium is the rehabilitation center. This is home to the sea turtles, manatees, and new this time...dolphins! Mote is very active in helping injured or stranded animals to rehabilitate and be set free. There are some animals, however, that are unable to be set free (Edgar, for instance) and make their home at the center. We enjoy our visits here so much!



Dan's Dad needed a new family picture for the front of our family album. The last one is seven years old :) and in front of the same statue.


Skyeler took this picture of a baby seahorse. We both tried to get a very clear picture of the seahorses, unfortunately, we both failed. They really were so cool, very intricate little creatures.

Of course I had to take a picture of Nemo!



Which means I couldn't forget Dory :) She was a fast little fishy. I tried to get a clearer picture but this was as good as it gets.

Hey, Dad, does this shark look a little familiar. Yep, that's a Bonnet head. Dad, Dan, and Dan's Dad spent a day fishing off the beach (yep, the same beach we swim at) and caught a few of these guys...smaller, of course. They max out at about 4ft and are non-aggressive. Since we DO swim at that beach, I certainly HOPE so :)

I couldn't get a good picture, but Skyeler is touching a sea cucumber. There were a few in the touch pool. Personally, I loved the feel of them. Surprisingly soft and spongy.

The sting ray "petting pool." Both Skyeler and Aly loved them. We had a hard time getting Aly away. The rays were very friendly. There was a certain spot in the pool where the rays would come more frequently. We found out that that spot is where they are fed. These creatures feel amazing. So silky and smooth. Beautiful.

Here is Edgar. He wasn't in the best position for a picture! Edgar is an albino, therefore he can't be released into the wild. If I remember correctly, the first time we saw Edgar was in 1997!


Squirt! (See the "Finding Nemo" theme) This little guy was in for rehab with a few of his brothers/sisters. They will be released into the wild as soon as they are ready. No flash allowed at this tank and these little boogers were fast and all over the place. I don't know if Skyeler or I got this shot. We both tried.

Hugh and Buffet, the resident manatees. I'm not sure why they can't be released but they have been here every time we have visited. They eat a lot of lettuce...Romaine...a LOT!

And the new editions...dolphins. I won't post all 23 pictures of the two dolphins :) Skyeler stood out in the 90 degree sun for quite a while watching them (and taking pictures of them).