20,000 gallons of sea water circulate through the museum s 35 aquaria, outdoor touch tank and sea water laboratories. Features Courtyard - Swimming above the courtyard are a killer whale, dolphins, hammerhead sharks, and a leatherback turtle. Colorful banners celebrate the seasons of the ocean, and native coastal plants grace the patio. Touch a whale bone, compare your size to a bull elephant seal or young gray whale, or get eye to eye with the spyhopping gray whale. John M. Olguin Auditorium - Multimedia shows on marine life are shown daily.
Interpretive exhibits explain the typical plants and animals of southern California waters.
Yet some of the largest and most diverse populations of marine plants and animals are found here. These animals have developed many ways to protect themselves. Some even drill into rocks or have become skilled stonemasons to create shelters. Seaweeds and microscopic plants produce the basic food of the ocean using the sun s energy. Seaweeds provide food for such grazers as snails, sea hares and urchins.