The Saint Louis Zoo is bringing the ocean back to you in 2010 when Stingrays at Caribbean Cove reopens for the season on April 24.
Visitors can watch, touch and occasionally feed these unique and fascinating oceanic fish as they glide through a warm saltwater pool. Located under a new pavilion near Lakeside Café, these ocean animals swim through a 17,000-gallon pool complete with waterfall and a lush surrounding landscape.
This summer, the stingrays have brought along some new friends. Look for the horseshoe crabs, some of the longest-surviving creatures on Earth, swimming amongst the stingrays. Horseshoe crabs are near threatened because of the popular practice of using them as bait to catch fish.
Stingrays at Caribbean Cove will stay open through the summer until September 26. Zoo staff will be present to assist and share information on the stingrays and ocean conservation. Don’t be afraid to be “hands on” – these stingrays can’t sting you. Zoo staff monitor the stingrays throughout the season to ensure no stingers exist. Their stingers, or barbs, are be painlessly trimmed back just like fingernails are clipped.
Admission to Stingrays at Caribbean Cove is $3 per person (children under two are free) and $1.50 for Zoo Friends members. Admission is free the first hour the Zoo is open. For complete information on this and other exhibits and events at the Zoo, visit www.stlzoo.org.
Amy Burger, Events Blogger for SmartParenting
Amy Burger is a mom, freelance writer and communications professional with nearly 20 years experience working in St. Louis. Her work has appeared in numerous publications and media outlets including STL Parent, Missouri Life magazine, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Town & Style and kdhx.org, among others. When she's not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two beautiful girls at home in Kirkwood.
Longmeadow Rescue Ranch is hosting its annual Spring Fling for families on April 20. The fun includes an up-close look at the Longmeadow Rescue Ranch horses, wagon rides through the 165-acre state-of-the-art horse farm and animal rehabilitation facility, and lots more.
Kids can work on existing gym skills, learn new skills or just play around during Open Gym at Miss Kelly's Gym. Reservations are not necessary.
Young artists and their families are invited to complete a fun craft activity in the galleries at the St. Louis Artists Guild. This program is designed for Pre-K to elementary-age children and their families.
Preschoolers can learn, play, explore and grow at the Saint Louis Art Museum's Wee Weekend program for its youngest visitors. Join in on the adventure as your little one discovers new ways of interacting with art and each other.
See the Zoo's California sea lions perform acrobatic and athletic feats, including Olympic-style dives on a high-diving platform, flipper walks, frisbee tosses and plenty of surprises. While on stage with the sea lions, the Zoo's trainers explain sea lion behavior and positive-reinforcement training, in addition to the need for conserving the sea lion's ocean habitat.