Nestled in the heart of Dallas, surrounded by miles of concrete and pavement, and the arid Texas terrain surrounding that, is a microcosm of the world’s tropical waters and forests. The Dallas World Aquarium is more than its name suggests—while it’s got everything you’d expect from a first-rate aquarium, over half of it is what’s going on above the surface of the tank. You and your kids will not only find sharks, stingrays, sawfish, angelfish and octopus, but also toucans, chameleons, jaguars, vampire bats and the only three-toed sloth on public display in the United States.
The adult admission is $20.95, but children 12 and under get a steep discount of only $12.95. And for that price there’s plenty for the whole family to see. The spectacle begins outside the front door, where tropical plants surround the entryway and burst from the building itself, a foliage harbinger of what is to come. Inside, it’s a 8-storey space alive with animals both aquatic and terrestrial from all over the world. The first exhibit is the fish, birds and mammals of Borneo. The winding path takes you past colorful cockatoos, hornbills, fuzzy tree kangaroos and the sharp-spitting archerfish, all before you even reach the admissions booth. In the South Africa exhibit there’s a plethora of reptiles and amphibians, as well as fascinating bird species such as the shoebill and various turacos, and the strange little mammal known as the rock hyrax. The aquarium itself is central to the experience, with an underwater walk-through tunnel allowing you to witness fish and other aquatic creatures from all over the Pacific Ocean up close. The two largest exhibits by far are those centered around the fauna of South and Central America. “Mundo Maya” features plants and animals significant to Mayan culture, with both eagles and songbirds, poisonous snakes and desert cottontail, as well as a vast cenote tank displaying sharks and blind cavefish. “Orinoco” is named for the Venezuelan river and displays the animals found in that habitat—manitees, catfish, crocodiles, poison arrow frogs, cock-of-the-rock, several species of monkeys and the famous three-toed-sloth.
While two-toed sloths are found in zoos all over the country, the Dallas World Aquarium is the only place you’ll find a three-toed sloth. His name is Leno, and he’s been a part of the Orinoco exhibit since 2005, making him the longest-surviving three-toed sloth in captivity in the Northern Hemisphere. Two-toed sloths aren’t that difficult to care for, given their diverse diet, but the three-toed variety is much more particular—they eat nothing but Cecropia leaves, which are hard to come by outside of the neotropics. The Dallas World Aquarium’s authentic recreation of the Orinoco rainforest, however, supplies Leno with plenty of his favorite snack, allowing visitors the chance to see this elusive creature in person.
Animal feeding and talks given by zookeepers take place every half hour, allowing you to make your visit a truly educational experience. Mayan culture is celebrated through dance performances by Grupo Pakal on Saturdays and Sundays, placing traditional folk arts in the context of the natural world they inhabited. Three different restaurants in the Dallas World Aquarium give a variety of dining options for your hungry family, allowing you to enjoy a meal while observing the wildlife around you.
The aquarium can be found at 1801 North Griffin Street, Dallas, TX 75202.
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