National Aquarium, Baltimore Part I

We visited the National Aquarium in Baltimore Harbor over the Christmas break. As is our habit, we arrived early enough that they were just opening. Even though it was the Christmas break, we didn't have to deal with a long line to get in. Maybe people didn't want to fight the cold or wanted to do something more Christmasy. We did plenty of Christmasy stuff, so this was a nice extra.

Ticket entrance for National Aquarium

The tanks by the entrance immediately caught our attention.

Checking out the first fish

Upstairs, we discovered a set of megalodon jaws. No one was brave enough to stand near them for a photo, so all we have is this less threatening side view.

Prehistoric jaws

The main tank at the aquarium is huge and has a nice variety of fish. The most popular for us were the rays, sharks, and turtles. Up above, a whale skeleton watches over visitors.

A ray big as a shark

Whale bones

Turtle

Some other fish

Upstairs we found some interactive exhibits. One table is a gigantic tablet that lets visitors examine virtual items on a sea floor.

Looking at the ocean floor

Even more interactive are the touchpools, where visitors can touch the backs of horseshoe crabs and moon jellies.

Horseshoe crabs

Moon jellies

Touching the moon

The aquarium has lots of smaller tanks that show off fish from various oceans and fresh water sources.

Sleek swimmers

An octopus, or possibly a sea snake

A starfish

Sea horses

Little yellow and striped fishes

A good variety

More fish

One area simulates a more tropical environment.

Turtles hanging out

Turtle vs. shark?!?

See ya later, sucker!

At the top of the aquarium is a tropical rainforest that has birds and land animals. We were surprised and delighted to find a non-fishy area.

Can't find the birds for the trees

Parrot

A land turtle!

More from the  Aquarium in our next post!