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The Tennessee Aquarium’s Tropical Holiday Adventure
11-23-2009A Colorful World Excursion in Downtown
Chattanooga, Tenn. (November 17, 2009) - A very special nose is leading the way to holiday fun at the Tennessee Aquarium this year, but not the shiny, red nose of a certain reindeer. Think Tropical Holiday Adventure and you’re following the specialized beak of the green aracari, (pronounced ARE-uh-sorry) the smallest member of the toucan family. The aracari is a new bird making his debut during the Aquarium’s Tropical Holiday Adventure which begins on November 20th and runs through January 3, 2010. “The beak is considered a soft beak that’s used to grab fruit in the tropical rainforests of the aracari’s home range,” said Susie Grant, the senior educator who’s been training the bird for animal encounter programs. “His beak is much different than the hard beaks of the hyacinth macaws, which have beaks made for cracking open nuts.”
Colorful is the word used to describe the aracari’s beak and plumage, as well as his personality. “He is very curious and friendly. He flew right to me the very first time I met him,” said Laura Lomenick, one of the Aquarium’s animal encounter specialists. Both Lomenick and Grant believe this little toucan will be a big hit with visitors because of the bird’s handsome looks and playful manner. “He likes to catch blueberries, grapes and papaya,” said Grant.
Several other colorful tropical species have been recently added to the animal encounter program. Aquarium visitors might meet the golden-hued,
Guests will also have an opportunity to soak in the warmth and colorful views of the Tropical Cove, which will be bursting with colorful orchids this year. Charlene Nash, Aquarium horticulturist, says these exotic plants have long been a symbol of beauty, love and luxury since the 1800’s. “The first orchid hybrid was bloomed by William Cattley in 1818, beginning the so-called ‘orchid fever,’ which caused infected enthusiasts to search for and possess the most stunning and elegant exotic flower in the world,” Nash said. This fever can strike on almost every continent on Earth. According to Nash, there are about 25,000 orchid species which are found in almost every habitat on earth except the frozen landscape of
During the Tropical Holiday Adventure, Aquarium guests who catch orchid fever will have an opportunity to take a bit of the tropics home. Orchids will be available for purchase inside the Ocean Journey building. Five to ten varieties will be offered, ranging in price from $15 to $50. Culture sheets and expert advice will lessen the fear of owning one of these beauties or giving them as holiday gifts.
Visitors can also just relax and enjoy the vibe of
“Ho, Ho, H20” daily schedule - Nov. 20, 2009 - Jan. 3, 2010
(The Aquarium is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.)
- 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. – Animal Encounters every hour in both Aquarium buildings. Locations and animals vary throughout the day.
- 10:15 a.m. – Help keepers surface feed stingrays & bamboo sharks – Ocean Journey – Tropical Cove,
- 10:30 a.m. – Delight in the first flight of butterflies when they are released into a lush tropical garden – Ocean Journey –
- 11 a.m. – Talk to tropical “Santa” divers as they take you on a shark-filled journey through spectacular coral formations – Ocean Journey -- Secret Reef, Level 2
- 11:15a.m. - You otter chill out with the river otters during “enrichment” time. See what happens when treats, ice and toys mix with two playful otters – River Journey –
- 11:30 a.m. - Talk to tropical “Santa” divers as they take you on a shark-filled journey through spectacular coral formations – Ocean Journey -- Secret Reef, Level 2
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