Suri and Willow Hard Hat Enrichment Shedd Aquarium 2022-12-13 | Suri and Willow are working on some enrichment!Sometimes the items that we use for enrichment are surprising! The Animal Care team freezes food in the bottom of hard hats for the otters to manipulate to get the food out.
Qilak Triple-Ring Toy Enrichment Shedd Aquarium 2022-12-06 | Qilak is becoming very interactive with enrichment items, especially this triple-ring toy!
Meet Willow and Suri! Shedd Aquarium 2022-11-01 | The moment you have all been waiting for is finally here! The results are in from the vote for Otter 929’s name. Drumroll please...🥁Meet Willow, named after Willow Creek Picnic Area and Beach in Monterey County, California.Otter 926 also received a new name from our Animal Care team. They chose Suri, referring to Big Sur, the rugged and mountainous section of the Central Californian coastline.Willow and Suri are gradually adjusting to their new habitat and can be seen throughout the week, come visit them—bit.ly/3fqilak
Qilak Arrives at Shedd Aquarium Shedd Aquarium 2022-10-27 | We are welcoming another addition to Shedd. We have a long history of responding in times of need, in fact, one more rescued male northern sea otter pup named Qilak(pronounced kee-lak) will be joining our sea otter population. Qilak comes to Shedd from @alaskasealifecenter where he was rehabilitated after being found on the western Kenai Peninsula in Alaska too young to be on his own and deemed non-releasable. Shedd is now home to six sea otters. Welcome to Shedd, Qilak!
Penguin Exam Shedd Aquarium 2022-10-25 | Join Dr. Karisa Tang, Associate Veterinarian, and Katy, Senior Animal Care Specialist in the Animal Care and Science Division here at Shedd Aquarium for a penguin checkup with Sir Elio!
Penguin Pumpkin Dive Shedd Aquarium 2022-10-19 | The Magellanic penguins dive for pumpkins as part of their seasonal enrichment.
Magellanic Penguin Pumpkin Enrichment Shedd Aquarium 2022-10-19 | Adding seasonal enrichment items encourages the penguins to explore and navigate their habitat in new and different ways.
California Sea Lion Pup Arrival September 2022 Shedd Aquarium 2022-10-06 | Welcoming new Shedd resident, California sea lion pup, Kenney.
Belugas Count 2022 Shedd Aquarium 2022-10-03 | Hello from Alaska! 🌊👋Claudia shares with us the important work being done as part of Belugas Count in partnership with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries, Georgia Aquarium, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and other organizations to help the critically endangered sub-population of beluga whales in the Cook Inlet in Alaska.
Carmen visits the ducks in Amazon Rising Shedd Aquarium 2022-09-13 | Carmen took a field trip to Amazon Rising to visit fellow aquatic avian residents, the ducks. 🐧🦆These enrichment-based field trips are important to the Magellanic penguins' holistic welfare plans because they provide the penguins with the opportunity to experience new sounds, smells and sensations.
Cooling Down with Watson 🧊 Shedd Aquarium 2022-08-02 | Cooling down with Watson 🧊Ice is a popular form of enrichment for sea otters. Sometimes it helps them cool down. Sometimes it’s the perfect place to tuck away treats. And sometimes they just like to chew on it!
Shark Feeding Tour Shedd Aquarium 2022-07-29 | When you think of sharks eating, what do you picture? In Wild Reef, feeding time may look surprisingly...calm! Join the sharks and rays during #SharkWeek on our 60-minute behind-the-scenes Shark Feeding Tour: bit.ly/3vm4Lt6
Brilliant Cherry Barb Fish Shedd Aquarium 2022-07-18 | Ch-ch-ch-cherry...barbs! 🍒 These brilliant male cherry barb fish turn an even deeper red to catch the female’s attention during mating season. #FreshwaterFriday What’s your favorite color to wear when you dress to impress?
Sea Otters Snacking Shedd Aquarium 2022-07-18 | Searching for Saturday snacks like... Luna and Cooper seek clam and formula treats in these enrichment balls attached to ‘kelp sheets.’ This type of enrichment mimics natural foraging behaviors that provide new things to explore for the otters as a part of their holistic welfare plans. 🦦
Meet the Green Anaconda Shedd Aquarium 2022-06-29 | A green anaconda (Eunectes murinus) is the newest arrival at Shedd’s Amazon Rising exhibit and is an impressive sight at 10 feet 7 inches in length. Guests can come face-to-face with the green anaconda, which is considered the one of the largest snakes in the world, during their next visit to the aquarium. The new female anaconda, estimated to be five years old, is anticipated to grow to between 14 and 20 feet.
Stingray Feeding Shedd Aquarium 2022-06-28 | Wait for it...surprise! Did you know what may look like the ray’s mouth in this video isn’t a mouth at all? A cownose ray’s mouth is located on their underbelly. They use special flaps, which you see here, to sift through the sand to get to their prey.
Sea Otter Raft Enrichment Shedd Aquarium 2022-06-21 | On the first day of summer, Cooper has the right idea.
Centennial Commitment Updates Shedd Aquarium 2022-06-17 | We are celebrating a major step for our #CentennialCommitment. This week, the Chicago Plan Commission approved some important upgrades to our exterior as part of the aquarium’s planned transformation. These changes will make accessing our historic home easier than ever before! Updates will include:🌱 Activating our green space for more nature exploration while supporting native plants, migratory animals and insect species.🐧 Reinvigorating our entry with facilitated experiences and animal pop-ups for anyone who visits #MuseumCampus.🦽 Improved accessibility and safety for our guests as they start their journey into the aquatic animal world.Learn more: bit.ly/3Oxn467
Happy World Sea Turtle Day Shedd Aquarium 2022-06-16 | What better day to get a closeup of Nickel than World Sea Turtle Day! 🐢Green sea turtles can hold their breath for about two hours while they rest, but Nickel spends a lot of time at the surface. Before she was rescued, a boat collision left her with buoyancy problems, giving her that characteristic rump-up swimming style.Nickel’s story has inspired countless visitors and brings light to some of the challenges faced by her endangered wild counterparts.
Stingray Touch Season Shedd Aquarium 2022-06-14 | You know summer is here when Stingray Touch opens up for the season! Feed rays in the morning, feel them glide across your fingers and maybe even cool down with a splash from a ray’s wing. Book your visit now: bit.ly/3MOba6l
Crunching on Crustaceans Shedd Aquarium 2022-06-09 | Just crunching on some crustaceans 🦀 That chomp is no joke—sea otters have the bite force of a black bear to help them break shells!
Happy World Oceans Day! Shedd Aquarium 2022-06-09 | Happy #WorldOceansDay! Enjoy a tropical timeline cleanse from Wild Reef. Is there a fish that caught your eye? Tell us in the comments.
National Donut Day Otter Enrichment Shedd Aquarium 2022-06-03 | Happy #NationalDonutDayWe’re celebrating the sea otter way 🦦🍩 With a seafood treat, now that’s pretty sweet 🐚 What a great way to welcome Friday!
Penguin Pats and Feather Scratches Shedd Aquarium 2022-05-27 | Ease into the long weekend like Loma and Iris getting feather scratches and penguin pats. This one-on-one time between caretakers and the animals builds trust, while also getting them used to the tactile part of medical exams.
Cooper and Watson - Then and Now Shedd Aquarium 2022-05-23 | Cooper and Watson then and now! Can you believe how much these rambunctious rescues have grown in three years?
Frog Enrichment Shedd Aquarium 2022-05-19 | Feeling hungry? Slow feeders full of tasty crickets are used as enrichment for these dart frogs. #yum 🦗🐸
Chilling with a Wolffish Shedd Aquarium 2022-05-17 | Stop scrolling and chill out with a wolffish!The bottom-dwelling wolffish lies in wait to make a meal of crabs and other crustaceans with its crushing jaw. 🐺 🐟
White-spotted jellies Shedd Aquarium 2022-05-17 | Here's a little Monday moment of peace. Watch as white-spotted jellies float weightlessly through the water.
American Toad Mating Call Shedd Aquarium 2022-05-15 | Sound on!Who needs online dating when you could have a toad’s call for mating?This mating call is produced by male toads in order to attract females during the breeding season and to warn other rival males of their presence. Sometimes they can last up to thirty seconds! 🐸
Rockhopper Penguins Nesting Shedd Aquarium 2022-05-15 | Edward and Annie and Drake and Magdalena are nestled in for nesting season. 🐧Rockhoppers have an odd favorite nesting material—rocks! True to their name, they live, hop and even nest on rocky shores.
Audio Recording of Sucker Migration Shedd Aquarium 2022-05-13 | 🎵 ...You can’t hurry SUCKER love, you just have to wait... 🎵 We’re back with another #FreshWaterFriday! Dr. Murchie uses an audio device to capture and record any sounds suckers make while spawning. These unique sound signatures help us identify different sucker species while they spawn—which can be helpful in large rivers too murky or deep for us to see.Why do we study suckers? These fish are a key part of our local ecosystem. Their massive spring migration adds a buffet of nutrients for local plant and insect life. This research is part of Shedd's migratory fish research and is an exciting collaboration with Dr. Aaron Rice at Cornell University. Sucker love is worth the wait!
Wellington Taking a Quick Dip Shedd Aquarium 2022-05-12 | #WheresWellington? Taking a quick dip! 💦At 34 years old, he may be geriatric, but you’d never guess it from the way he zooms through the water.
Black Beauty Insects Shedd Aquarium 2022-05-11 | Black beauty insects live up to their name. Did you know that there are bugs that call Shedd home? While many walking sticks blend in, the black beauty stands out with bright red hindwings. But they can defend themselves by spraying a corrosive, smelly liquid at predators. Find them in Amazon Rising!
Diego Drinking Saltwater Shedd Aquarium 2022-05-09 | Your daily reminder to drink more water...but not saltwater! Penguins like Diego can drink salty seawater. They have a special gland that “traps” extra salt, which later drips out of their nose—from salty sips to salty sneezes! 🐧 Don't forget to head to the Great Penguin Party this Friday! Tickets are going fast, reserve your spot today: bit.ly/3L3vTSO
Sucker Migration Shedd Aquarium 2022-05-06 | We’re suckers for suckers! Back at it with #FreshWaterFridays! Starting late March and continuing through May, hundreds of thousands of white and longnose suckers migrate from the Great Lakes to their spawning streams—a massive migration in our backyard! Suckers are important all year round, but in the spring their role in the streams and rivers they visit is incredible! Shedd’s Dr. Karen Murchie says, “When the suckers migrate from the various Great Lakes into creeks and rivers to spawn, their reproduction means the population can be sustained. While they are in the creeks, they are adding a buffet of nutrients that get used by the plant matter and aquatic insects. Where the suckers have been the aquatic insects get bigger and that means a tastier treat for another fish, and if the insect larvae don’t get eaten by fish they hatch and become food for birds and bats. So if you love fish, birds and bats – thank a sucker.”
Pacific spiny lumpsuckers Shedd Aquarium 2022-05-05 | New resident alert—baby lumpsuckers! Shedd’s newest residents have a unique adaptation. Their specialized pelvic fins create a “suction cup” on their belly that they use to stick to rocks, plants and even each other. Come see them in Polar Play Zone!
Frog Eating Cricket Shedd Aquarium 2022-05-03 | Happy #AmphibianWeek! From fantastic frogs to stellar salamanders, amphibians all look unique, but they have one thing in common: they all have superpowers. For example, did you know frogs use their eyes to help swallow? Watch closely as this milk frog gulps a tasty meal. 🐸Amphibians may be superpowered, but it’s not easy being green. They're fragile—40% of amphibian species are threatened. Support local amphibians by supporting Shedd’s work: bit.ly/3ysjuFB
Suckers Migrating in the Snow Shedd Aquarium 2022-04-29 | The cold never bothered us anyway ❄️! Even snow in April didn’t stop the migration of suckers from the Great Lakes to streams and creeks to spawn. Look closely through the flakes and you’ll see the amazing suckers making their way against the current to reproduce and sustain their populations.Shedd’s Director of Freshwater Research, Dr. Karen Murchie studies these migrations every year to learn more about their ecology and the challenges facing these fish so we can keep their populations healthy. Stay tuned to keep up with this year’s research!#FreshwaterFridays #SuckerforSuckers
The Penguins Visit Wild Reef Shedd Aquarium 2022-04-25 | Penguins make everything better—even Mondays. Happy #WorldPenguinDay! The penguins got a new underwater view on their Wild Reef field trip. Here are some facts to get a whole new view of these flightless birds: 🐧 Small yet speedy: Magellanic penguins can swim up to around 15 miles per hour! 🐧 Little but loud: That vocalization you hear at the end is called a “bray” 🐧 Stand out to blend in: their bold black and white feathers actually help them blend in underwater thanks to “countershading.”
Wheres Wellington? Celebrating National Book Day Shedd Aquarium 2022-04-24 | #WheresWellington? Wellington and his offspring Bosco came out to celebrate Edward and Annie’s new book!Enrichment for the penguins at Shedd sometimes looks like caretakers spending time and interacting with the birds. In honor of #NationalBookDay, caretaker Megan spent her time with the penguins reading Shedd’s new children’s book - Edward & Annie: A Penguin Adventure. Reserve your copy today: bit.ly/3OIkkDR
Green chromis Shedd Aquarium 2022-04-15 | This relaxation break for your feed brought to you by green chromis. These iridescent reef-dwellers flash green and blue depending on how the light hits them.
Edward Builds a Nest Shedd Aquarium 2022-04-13 | From aquarium adventures to nestling in nests! Rockhopper Edward has started building a nest, one twig, and pebble at a time. 🐧 Enjoy more of Edward's (and Annie’s) aquarium adventures, in a new illustrated book.Perfect for kids and kids at heart! Buy now: bit.ly/36a7psG
Caiman lizard snacks on a snail Shedd Aquarium 2022-04-05 | Here with a reminder to grab a little snack! Caiman lizards have a very specific diet—snails. They crunch through the shells with their powerful jaws to get to the meat inside.
Rockys Nest Shedd Aquarium 2022-04-04 | Small penguin, big effort! Rocky’s on a mission to build a nest to impress. 🐧 .While Magellanic penguins like Rocky prefer softer nesting materials, rockhoppers, like Lucy, typically prefer nesting with pebbles.
Cooper Can Amaze with a Maze! Shedd Aquarium 2022-03-31 | Cooper can amaze with a maze! Puzzle feeders are a fun way for sea otters to get a fun workout—from body to brain! In this unique enrichment game—the sea otters push a food-filled toy from one end of the maze to the other.
Basketball Enrichment with Sea Otter, Watson Shedd Aquarium 2022-03-25 | Nice pass, Watson! Basketball enrichment is a fun way to get some exercise and to build bonds with caretakers.
Happy Saint Patricks Day from Shedd Aquarium Shedd Aquarium 2022-03-17 | We’re seeing green this #StPatricksDay!
Engineer gobies at Shedd Aquarium Shedd Aquarium 2022-03-17 | ⚠️ Fish at work! ⚠️ Engineer gobies come from the sand down under. Snaking their slender eel-like bodies through sand carving out tunnels to protect them and their young from predators.
Wellington Takes a Swim Shedd Aquarium 2022-03-16 | How does Wellington swim so fast? With water wings. 😏 Using their flipper-like wings, rockhoppers can swim through the water at surprising speeds—around 15 miles per hour! Watching Wellington dive, swim and splash, you would never guess he was considered geriatric at 34 years old.
