From: karsten@netcom.com (karsten)
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.words-l
Subject: Monterey Bay Aquarium
Date: 30 Aug 92 04:40:46 GMT
Organization: Karsten's Bit Bucket
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL4

On my way back from my visit to the SF Bay area I stopped at
the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  I'd read that it is a "must see"
if one is in the area, but I didn't really know a lot about it.

This aquarium limits itself to species and habitats from the
Monterey Bay area.  The centerpiece is a 1/3 million gallon kelp
forest tank that is about 30 feet high.  In addition to the
(relatively small) kelp plants this tank has hundreds of small
and large fish and a few sharks.  This tank has a machine near
the top to provide simulated wave action.

Around this central display are several alcoves, each for a
different type of water-related habitat.  The most interesting
of these is "The Sandy Shore".  This area is accessible only
through a pair of revolving doors.  Once inside it is clear
why these are necessary - this display includes free-flying birds.
A small strip of beach - perhaps 8 feet wide and 25 feet deep
(of which 3/4 was beach above water) is recreated in this room.
20 or so birds from several different species go about "normal"
lives at their preferred distance from the water's edge.  The
birds ignored the people completely; it was quite odd to be
standing no more than 2 feet from some of the birds and watch
them probe the waterline sand for food and wander around the low
dune area.

This aquarium believes in hands-on experience.  They have at
least three areas where people are encouraged to become involved.

The first is a 2-3 foot high pool-sized kidney-shaped tank
with half a dozen bat rays in it.  This tank is on the floor
so visitors can reach into it and touch any ray that comes to
one of the free sides.  The rays seem to take turns leaving
the side adjacent to the wall and skimming just at fingertip
range.

Directly behind the bat ray area is the "touch pool".  Here
staffers offer starfish, some sort of sea worm and several
varieties of algae (all living) for people to touch and pick
up.

The final hands-on area is on the second floor.  This area,
also controlled by staffers, offers a variety of living plants
and invertebrates in petri dishes on and under water.  Visitors
can either view them directly from a few inches away (no barriers)
or look at them through the microscopes they have there.

The second floor is primarily filled with their jellyfish
exhibit.  A dozen or so species of live jellyfish are kept there,
including at least one which they are able to breed.  I believe
this is the only aquarium in the world currently able to do this.
It is difficult to believe the jellyfish are real and alive -
transparent half-balloons with no apparent thickness dangling
tiny knotted threads, expanding and contracting to move.

I took this detour on my return from the Bay Area expecting to
stay an hour or two.  I stayed at the aquarium for 4 hours and
cut my visit short only because I had a over two hundred miles
more to drive before I'd be home.  I'm sure I'll visit it again.
I recommend it to anybody who has the opportunity.

--karsten

(Rays feel like rubber.  Starfish are hard even when alive.)
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