:: Intertwine ::

:: Monday, May 05, 2003 ::

We are back from Florida. Went to the beach, visited relatives, saw the aquarium. Today's homeschooling: Gabe is interested in whether Florida is on the equator, or just near it, as it was warmer there than here (New England). We looked up what countries are crossed by the equator: Equador, Brazil, Congo, Zaire, Columbia, Gabon, Kenya, Uganda, Sumatra, and Indonesia. At the Mote Aquarium in Sarasota, we enjoyed seeing fish, jellyfish, crabs, sharks, sea turtles which are being rehabilitated, and manatees. Manatees are monstrous creatures (1800 pounds), at least near Florida in the Gulf of Mexico. They also have them in the Amazon River, and in the Pacific Ocean. As for the turtles, they had some different varieties. One had been found unable to eat, due to brain parisites (yuck!), but was almost ready to be released back to the sea, when it gained another 10 pounds. Another was a blind turtle who had to be hand fed and couldn't be released for that reason. She had a head injury which destroyed her optic nerve. An albino turtle was on display because he wasn't safe in the sea due to lack of camouflage. Enchanted Learning has a sea turtle page with basic info and anatomy. There was a huge shark tank, next to where a high school prom was slated to happen that night. Hope no one got crazy! A giant squid, dead but preserved, was on display, and apparently they aren't found live anymore. You could handle starfish, and other sea critters in "contact cove" and then touch a sting ray as the group swam around in a pool in circles. Sting rays are soft and a bit slimy. They look like underwater bats.

:: Yogishan 10:55 AM [+] ::
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