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• The Texas State Aquarium opened July 6, 1990. • There are thousands of specimens representing over 300 species.
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• The Aquarium will open a new 65,000 square foot Caribbean exhibit next Spring.
of the exhibits, with a pitch black background and a singular light source that glimmer up the vibrating contours of these strange creatures. But soon they’ll be joined by some cephalopod neighbors in the Tentacles exhibit. “Tentacles is awesome, and we are really excited about it,” Bolt said. “We have cuttlefish, species of squid, and a giant Pacific octopus.” Even after walking through the indoor exhibits, you will have only scratched the surface of what the Texas State Aquarium has to offer. Outside there are a number of marine mammals and reptiles and even fearsome birds of prey. The fun-loving otters of Otter Creek and the gliding and graceful Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles of Tortuga Cay have been mainstays for decades. But next to them are probably the most unexpected exhibit in the Aquarium, the birds of prey in Eagle Pass and the Hawn Wild Flight Theater. Eagle Pass is a special home to raptors who have been rehabilitated after injury but cannot be released back into the wild. The main attraction is the regal bald eagle, Grace. She was recovered from Alaska and now stands upon her perch looking out toward the bay with her literal eagle eyes, a stoic symbol of our nation. The birds of the Hawn Wild Flight Theater have a bit more of a showman flair. During their shows various raptors, hawks, falcons, and owls swoop within inches of spectators heads, demonstrating their pinpoint precision. Finally, but certainly not least, are the energetic and peppy dolphins of Dolphin Bay, Shadow and Kai. The rambunctious duo perform various tricks and jumps. Soon they will have another pair join their pod. Born in SeaWorld San Antonio, Liko and Schooner arrived in Corpus in January. It’ll take a while for the new pair to adjust to their surroundings and trainers, but Bolt
hopes to add Liko and Schooner to Shadow and Kai’s ‘bachelor pod’ sometime this year. What does the future hold? As some may have noticed, the Texas State Aquarium has a massive concrete structure emerging from its side. This structure is the single largest addition to the Aquarium in its 25-year history, 65,000 square feet, more than double the size of the original Aquarium building, it will house a brand new tropical Caribbean exhibit. The building will be designed almost as a greenhouse to simulate the climate of a tropical Mexican rain forest. “It’ll be a multi-taxus species exhibit,” Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Jesse Gilbert. “We’ll have sloths, toucans, lizards, snakes, tarantulas, and scorpions.” In total, there will be about 400 to 500 species and 3,000 to 4,000 specimen housed in this new all-encompassing exhibit. That number doesn’t take into account the 400-500 species of flora that will grow along the paths. “Our goal is that when you walk into the space you will feel like you’re in the Yucatan jungle,” Gilbert said.
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In addition to the animal and botanical space, there will be event areas overlooking the bay and the exhibits as well as Corpus Christi’s first 4-D theater. It will provide a movie experience that will overwhelm the senses. Gilbert says their target for the grand opening of this new addition is set for Spring or Summer of 2017. The Texas State Aquarium has always been a main attraction on North Beach. With the unprecedented expansion coming soon, the Aquarium adds more incentive for return visits. Whether it be the water park, the family time, or the shared experiences of interacting with the natural world like never before, the Texas State Aquarium offers fun to every age and any family. [the lifestyle magazine of the coastal bend]
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