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Weekend Wanderings: The Dallas World Aquarium

A few weeks ago, I lost a very good friend and since that time, I’ve made a new commitment to living life and to stop putting things off for another time or a so called better time. As a part of this commitment, my daughter and I have become weekend wanderers and we’re determined to explore our local area and visit the attractions, see the sights and learn what we can. So this week, I am introducing you to what I hope will be the first of many Weekend Wanderings.

The Dallas World Aquarium

Located in the West End, The Dallas World Aquarium is much more than just a standard aquarium. From the moment you walk inside, you’re transported to another habitat – one that plays host to the rainforests of the world. While there are many forms of aquatic life to be found in the DWA, you can find many different types of birds, including the scarlet ibis and black-necked swans. You can also find mammals like howler monkeys, lion faced tamarins and some really wonderful otters (named Carlos and Muneca).

The Dallas World Aquarium is dedicated to the conservation of many endangered species and you can find many of these species here in the Aquarium. When you go inside, you go up to the top floor and begin your walk through the upper part of the canopy where you will find a wide variety of colored birds. You also have a great view of a waterfall and more. There are a number of animals throughout that you can see from above as you begin your winding journey down through the canopy to the floor level and then below, into the waters.

Informational, Educational and Inspiring

Throughout the aquarium there are touch screens that provides information about the animals on display as well as their habitats and what threatens their survival. The Lobo Del Rio or giant river otters are the only breeding pair in the United States. They are the largest of the thirteen different otter species. They are endangered due to the loss of their habitats in the rain forest and the fact that they are hunted for their exquisite pelts.

Every afternoon, visitors can meet one of the only publicly displayed three-toed sloth in the United States. He’s a wonderful, mask-faced creature that appears to be smiling. There are many posted warnings throughout instructing visitors to not touch the plants or the animals because there are poisonous varieties, but the layout and the railings are well placed and designed to prevent just such a circumstance.

Continuing Our Journey

As we continued down, we found bugs, bats, Golden Lion Tamrins (they are also endangered) and crocodiles. There are Roseate spoonbill birds, pale-faced Sakis and white-faced whistling ducks,. Swimming beneath the ducks are manatees and giant turtles. On the aquatic level, you can find the cuttlefish from Japan that look very much like the coral they swim amongst. You can also see moon jellyfish from Palau and colorful fish from the Lord Howe Island.

Deeper still, you will see the Continental shelf, a panoramic view of reef life and it’s diversity of marine life that lives there. One of the real eye openers though seawater tunnel where you are literally walking beneath the sharks and other predators of the seas. It’s an amazing effect.

The Madagascar outdoor exhibit was closed due to the cold weather, but we did get to see a number of black footed penguins and as we left behind the marine life and came back up, we entered the Mundo Maya, a wonderful exhibit that pays tribute to the Mayan people and their beliefs as well as the animals native to their part of the world including a magnificent jaguar.

After a short break at the Maya Café where we could look down at the beautiful flamingos below, we returned to watch a performance of native Mayan dancing that paid tribute to the elements and the rebirth of the individual to a more balanced life. The costumes were spectacular and the talk they gave after the dance was wonderful — especially the warnings they gave the children about the fire portion of their dance.

The Dallas World Aquarium

Our visit to the aquarium was a real treat! We’ll definitely be returning soon. Visitors to the aquarium will pay $15,95 for adult admission, $12.95 for seniors and $8.95 for children. Children under 2 get in for free. Oh and moms, it’s VERY stroller friendly. There is an elevator to take you up to the top level and the entire area is designed around ramps, bridges and gently sloping pathways that take you throughout the exhibits. We saw many children from the babes in arms to the school age.

Educational and charming, it was a great way to spend a few hours on a Sunday afternoon. If you’re in the Dallas area, be sure to check out the Dallas World Aquarium.

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About Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago. They have a beautiful daughter who just turned five years old. She is learning to read and preparing for kindergarten in the fall. An author of more than 300 articles and 500+ web copy pieces, Heather has also written three books as a ghostwriter. Empty Canoe Publishing accepted a novel of her own. A former horse breeder, Heather used to get most of her exercise outside. In late 2004, early 2005 Heather started studying fitness full time in order to get herself back into shape. Heather worked with a personal trainer for six months and works out regularly. She enjoys shaking up her routine and checking out new exercises. Her current favorites are the treadmill (she walks up to 90 minutes daily) and doing yoga for stretching. She also performs strength training two to three times a week. Her goals include performing in a marathon such as the Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness or Team in Training for Lymphoma research. She enjoys sharing her knowledge and experience through the fitness and marriage blogs.