Mote Aquarium to hold exhibit on life cycles of marine animals

On Feb. 14, Mote Aquarium will begin its newest exhibit, “Oh Baby! Life Cycles of the Seas.”

The family-friendly educational exhibit invites visitors to discover animal reproduction and the challenges new generations of marine life face.

“Guests of every age will be able to relate to this exhibit — its interactive games and activities are designed to get families and couples talking and get everyone thinking,” Assistant Vice President Evan Barniskis said in a news release. “Kids will be amazed by the unusual lives of baby animals, from dangerous sibling rivalries to incredible journeys. Meanwhile, adults will enjoy learning about the quirks of undersea romance.”

The exhibit will include a baby shark touch pool, baby animals of multiple other marine species, species that have never before been displayed at Mote, including kinds of seahorses, garden eels and jellyfish, a family-friendly look at marine animal courtship behaviors and “Who Wants to Be a Sea Star?,” a TV-style science quiz.

The exhibit will be open from Feb. 14 to Sept. 27 seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission to the exhibit is included in a normal admission ticket, which is free for members, $19.75 for adults ages 13 and up, $18.75 for seniors ages 65 and up, $14.75 for children ages 4 to 12 and free for children younger than 3. Mote Aquarium is located at 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway.