Spotted Eagle Ray Joins Ray Menagerie At Florida Aquarium

TAMPA, FL — This past week The Florida Aquarium introduced a new juvenile spotted eagle ray.

This species can be seen in the waters of Florida. Each spotted eagle ray's pattern is unique, just like a human fingerprint.

The new ray is making itself at home in the Heart of the Sea habitat, gliding through the water, sifting in the sand for clams and showing off its spots to aquarium guests.

Spot arrives just as the aquarium at 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa, prepares to host several events.

The aquarium will host "Member Night: Celebrating Sea Turtle" Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m.

In honor of World Sea Turtle Week, members of the aquarium are invited to celebrate sea turtles with The Florida Aquarium during our exclusive after-hours member night during which they can explore exhibits and animal habitats, including the touch experiences - featuring stingrays, sea stars and even moon jellies. All exhibits will be open, including the Splash Pad, 4-D Theater, Café Ray (limited hours) and the Gift Shop.

This event is free for aquarium members with a valid membership. Due to limited capacity, members must make reservations.

Then, families are invited to the aquarium's Summer Shell-a-bration June 13-20.

The event will feature live entertainment, arts and crafts and meet-and-greets with aquarium critters.

Click here for tickets.

Come back the weekend of June 19-20 for Father's Day when dads get free admission to the aquarium. For tickets, click here and use the promo code: DAD2021.

While you're there, be sure to check out the art exhibit made possible through a collaboration with the National Football League and Hillsborough County Schools.

As part of Super Bowl LV’s environmental efforts, the Florida Aquarium partnered with NFL Green and the Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee to leave a lasting legacy in Tampa Bay.

During NFL Green Week’s Dive 55 effort in January, led by Pepsi Stronger Together and FORCE BLUE, a team of retired special operations military veterans collected debris in the Gulf of Mexico, including fishing ropes, crab trap buoys and other throwaways.

Students from Hillsborough County Public Schools used what was collected to bring creativity and conservation together to design a piece of art that connects to the Tampa Bay environment.

This project was made possible through the support of Erin Saldino, kindergarten through grade 12 supervisor of visual and theater arts education for Hillsborough County Public Schools.

The art installation will be on exhibit through Sept. 18.

See related stories:

• Love Of Marine Life Attracts Committed Cadre Of Volunteers
• Florida Aquarium Celebrates 25th Anniversary With Expansion