Category: Aquarium Pyramid (Page 6 of 8)

Upcoming Events: Birding 101 and Birding 201

February 5, 2013 / Moody Gardens / 1 Comment

egret Moody Gardens is dedicated to educating the community on nature, animals, and conservation. We love getting involved with our guests while also teaching them about the nature and beauty that surrounds us. On our Calendar of Events, some of the exciting things we have coming up are Birding 101 and Birding 201.

Birding 101

Birding 101 is presented by Moody Gardens and the Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council. Birding 101 is a class created to educate participants about the variety of bird life that can be seen on Galveston Island. The island is home to hundreds of species of birds such as egrets, herons, hawks, seagulls, and many more. The class is free and held on the second Saturday of each month. We want to be able to excite our people about the bird species we share the area with. Class meets in the Aquarium Pyramid lobby and is from 9-11 a.m.

Birding 201

Birding 201 gives participants a more in depth look at the bird life on the island. The instructor-led classes allow participants to visit certain areas of the island where they can spy some of the tremendous variety of birds. Instead of just teaching participants about the birds, Birding 201 actually takes you out to find them! Classes are held on the third Saturday of each month from 9-11a .m. The class is $5 and participants meet in the Aquarium Pyramid lobby. Moody Gardens will provide transportation. Due to high demand, we ask that you reserve you spot no later than the Wednesday prior to the class by calling 409-683-4101.

Make Moody Gardens the destination for your next family weekend getaways in Texas, and learn more about Galveston’s bird life while you’re here! If you’re on the hunt for one of the best places to stay in Galveston, make your reservations at the Moody Gardens Hotel.

Sea of Love: Valentine’s Dinner at Moody Gardens

February 4, 2013 / Moody Gardens / 0 Comments

valentines Spend your Valentine’s Day on a unique date in Moody Gardens Aquarium Pyramid. Celebrate the romance by diving into an underwater dining experience! Seating is limited, so book now!

Choose from four different Aquarium Pyramid dining experiences:

Tunnel of Love: Feel as though you’re underwater in our Caribbean Exhibit tunnel. Enjoy your romantic dinner while sharks and other beautiful sea creatures swim overhead.

Sealed with a Kiss: First- and second-level seating is available by the seals and sea lions of the North Pacific Exhibit. These playful animals will add a splash of fun to your dining experience.

Fishin’ for Love: First and second level seating is available in the South Pacific Exhibit. The colorful fish inhabitants provide the perfect backdrop for your romantic evening.

Lovable Penguins: You’ll have to be careful around the penguins of the South Atlantic Exhibit! They’re so cute they may just steal your heart this Valentine’s Day!

Our Lover’s Menu is packed full of delicious options to make the dining experience one to remember!

Soup and Salad (choice of one):

Asparagus Bisque topped with Roasted Pear
Seven Leaf Salad with Fresh Berries and tossed with Raspberry Vinaigrette

Entrée Selection (choice of one):

Colonel’s Rib Eye Steak with Garlic Herb Shrimp served with Red Potatoes
Red Snapped topped with Lump Crab Meat Cream Sauce served with Sauteed Julianne Vegetables
Pan Grilled Chicken Breast topped with Grape Tomato and Porcini Mushroom Sauce served with Char-Grilled Asparagus

Dessert (YUM!):

Chocolate Heart Shaped Tiramisu for two: three-layer sponge cake with mascarpone cheese, cream cheese, whipped cream, coffee liqueur, chocolate shavings, and topped with cocoa. Served with Bailey’s whipped cream.

This special Sea of Love Valentine’s Dinner is $80 per couple (does not include tax and gratuity). The event is from 6-8 p.m. on February 14, 2013.

Go ahead and turn the evening into an overnight romantic rendezvous with our special Valentine’s Hotel Package. For only $255, the package includes:

Valentine’s dinner
Chocolate covered strawberries
Breakfast for two
Behind the scenes tour of the Aquarium Pyramid on Friday morning

Discover why Moody Gardens Hotel is one of the best places to stay in Galveston.

Make your reservations TODAY! Call 1-800-582-4673 ext. 4200.

Learn More About the Animal Residents

February 1, 2013 / Moody Gardens / 0 Comments

At Moody Gardens, we have thousands of animal residents and a huge variety of different species! Keep reading to learn more about these exciting creatures from all over the world.

pygmy loris

Pygmy Loris: A Pygmy loris is a mammal that can be found in the rainforests and bamboo groves throughout Asia, including China, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. This wooly creature has a brown coat and grows to be up to ten inches long and weighs about two pounds. They are recognized by their large eyes and small ears. Pygmy lorises are nocturnal animals that feed on small invertebrates, eggs, small reptiles, fruits, and vegetation. They can easily climb trees because of their opposable thumbs and strong hands and feet. The Pygmy loris is a threatened species, but cooperative breeding and conservation by various organizations is helping to ensure their survival.

Gentoo Penguins: We have a special place in our heart for the penguin residents at Moody Gardens! The Gentoo penguin can be found on the sub-Antarctic islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. They are recognizable by their red eyes ringed in white feathers, with a white patch above each eye that extends over their head. Their black beak has a vibrant orange “swish” and they waddle around on orange feet. The Gentoo penguin is listed as a lower risk-near threatened species because of habitat destruction.

animals at mg

Ocelot: The ocelot is an endangered medium-sized wild cat with tawny fur and irregular dark brown spots and stripes. They come from arid and forested habitats all over the world, including many parts of Central and South America. Ocelots are terrific swimmers that hunt during the night feeding on small deer, rabbits, rodents, reptiles, birds, other small mammals, and sometimes they go fishing!

To learn more about the animals at Moody Gardens, come explore the Aquarium Pyramid and Rainforest Pyramid. Moody Gardens is the perfect destination for your next family weekend getaways in Texas.

Our Dedication to Saving Animals

January 28, 2013 / Moody Gardens / 0 Comments

saving animals Moody Gardens is dedicated to the care and survival of animals. We go to great lengths to make sure we provide a comfortable home for our animal residents and provide assistance to animals in need.

Moody Gardens has worked with the Marine Stranding Network and other organizations to help rescue injured animals and rehabilitate them. Moody Gardens has helped to provide aid in the recovery and release of marine animals, such as dolphins and turtles, back into the wild.

A permanent home is also provided for animals that may not be able to survive in the wild, as in the case of Porter. Porter was a newborn abandoned harbor seal pup that needed treatment for dehydration and injuries. After the Marine Animal Lifeline nursed him back to health, he did not have the survival and hunting skills necessary to be released back into the wild. He is now a permanent resident of the Aquarium Pyramid’s North Pacific Exhibit.

At the Seahorse Symphony Exhibit in the Aquarium Pyramid, visitors are reminded of the quickly diminishing seahorse population. It’s estimated that each year around 20 million seahorses are taken from the ocean to be used as souvenirs, pets, and for medicine. Project Seahorse is a collaborative international effort that focuses on conservation habitats, educating visitors, and making a difference for the seahorse population.

The efforts of Moody Gardens have been as widespread as South America, where a rescue team helped save a colony of Caribbean Flamingos after their home was attacked by jaguars. Also, the King Penguins at Moody Gardens are a genetically desirable group that have been part of a breeding exchange program with other institutions, helping to ensure their species survival.

Come visit the King Penguins and Porter the seal at the Aquarium Pyramid on your next family weekend getaway in Texas. Don’t forget to stop in and see the variety of animal residents at the Rainforest Pyramid! We look forward to seeing you soon.

Moody Gardens Offers Fun For the Whole Family

December 20, 2012 / Moody Gardens / 0 Comments

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Moody Gardens is the perfect place for an entire family vacation, or even just a daylong adventure. Here at Moody Gardens, every member of your family will find something fun and interesting to entertain them.

The Moody Gardens Attractions, from the Aquarium Pyramid to the Colonel Paddlewheel Boat, provide enough fun for everyone in the family. Kids will love getting up close with the penguins in the Penguin Encounter! For the adventurous family members, don’t miss out on catching a movie and a ride at the Ridefilm Theater. The technology of the Ridefilm Theater literally makes you feel like you are a part of the action!

Parents who are looking for a romantic evening on the water should book reservations for the dinner cruise on Colonel Paddlewheel Boat on the second Saturday of each month! Enjoy a delicious dinner and live entertainment while getting some time alone together. Please make your reservation by the Wednesday before the scheduled dinner cruise at 1-800-582-4673, ex. 4419.

The whole family will enjoy one of the most authentic rainforest recreations at the Rainforest Pyramid. The walk-in butterfly exhibit is one of Moody Gardens most beloved features, and enjoyable for family members from one to one hundred. Not only are the Aquarium and Rainforest Pyramids entertaining, they also provide educational opportunities by teaching visitors about the nature that lives within the habitats.

When the gang gets hungry, there are plenty of dining options here at Moody Gardens. Choose from The Gardens Restaurant, or in the Moody Gardens Hotel there is The Terrace Restaurant, Shearn’s Restaurant, Lobby Bar, Pool Bar, and Blossom. Don’t forget that your kids can eat free at The Terrace Restaurant when you’re staying at the Moody Gardens Hotel!

When Mom and Dad are ready to unwind, don’t miss out on our special deals for the Moody Gardens Golf Course and the Spa at Moody Gardens! We look forward to seeing you and the whole family soon!

Moody Gardens Offers Live Webcams!

December 19, 2012 / Moody Gardens / 0 Comments

Experience Moody Gardens a little bit before you come visit us! At moodygardens.com, we offer live webcams allowing you to get a real time view of what the animals of Moody Gardens are up to! Our live webcams keep track of the seal exhibit, the penguins, the rainforest watch cam and a pyramid view! Since Moody Gardens is dedicated to the advancement of rehabilitation, conservation, recreation, and research, we want you to be able to experience as much of what we do as possible.

You can watch the penguins jumping in and out of the water, cuddling up, or gathering around for mealtime. Penguins are always having fun and doing funny things.

Catch a glimpse of the beautiful, brightly colored birds perching on trees on the live rainforest watch cam. You never know which rainforest creature you are going to get to see, but it’s always interesting.

The large seals are especially fun to watch, especially during their feeding time. They love coming up out of the water to greet the great people who take care of them on a daily basis. Sometimes the seals will disappear for a little bit for a nap, but then pop back on up on the screen swimming around belly-up!

Our pyramid view is especially helpful if you want to check the exact weather conditions of the Moody Gardens grounds. The live webcam gives a clear view of the sky, so you can check for dark clouds or beautiful sunny skies.

The live webcams at Moody Gardens also give you the opportunity to see firsthand how the animals are cared for. Watching live mealtimes, or just seeing the caretakers interacting with the animals provides an up close look at the daily lives of our favorite animal residents.

If you’re looking for a fun place to visit on your Texas weekend family getaways, come see us at Moody Gardens. Explore the Aquarium Pyramid and Rainforest Pyramid and then catch a movie at the Moody Gardens 3D Theater. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Learn More About the Animals at Moody Gardens

December 14, 2012 / Moody Gardens / 0 Comments

Moody Gardens is home to over 5,500 animals representing 650 different species from around the world. Moody Gardens is a member of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association and is dedicated to the survival of selected wildlife species. We’ve put together a few fun facts about some of the awesome animals living at Moody Gardens.

Blue Duiker: The blue duiker is a small antelope with slate-colored fur and a slight bluish tint. The average lifespan of this nocturnal animal is about ten to twelve years. Blue duikers come from forested and shrub habitats, including rainforests throughout central and southern Africa. They are omnivorous, feeding on seeds, mosses, leaves, fruit, and the occasional small animal. The word “duiker” is Afrikaans for “diver,” and the animal was given this name because the antelope dives into undergrowth when startled. The animal is becoming less common in the wild because of hunting. It is not necessarily threatened with extinction but still needs extra care to ensure its survival.

African Speckled Pigeon: This African bird is brown to bluish-gray with a gray head and underside. Its name stems from the white speckles on its wings. These birds also have red skin visible around each eye. They can grow to be about thirteen inches in length from head to tail. African Speckled Pigeons can be found in grasslands, urban areas, forests, and cliff ledges south of the African Sahara. They eat seeds, grains, and fruits and are a very urban species in Africa. They are a non-threatened species.

Panamanian Golden Frog: This brightly colored frog is yellow-orange with black splotches. Its skin secretions are toxic and used as a defense mechanism against predators. The Panamanian Golden Frog can be found in moist, humid, forested areas in Panama (hence the name). This golden frog is an insectivore, surviving off a variety of insects. It is a cultural symbol of the Republic of Panama and is a threatened species, meaning it needs extra precautions taken to ensure its survival.

Learn more about the animals of Moody Gardens by visiting the Aquarium Pyramid and Rainforest Pyramid. Be sure to check out the Moody Gardens Hotel for family-friendly accommodations on your next trip.

Field Trips to Moody Gardens

December 12, 2012 / Moody Gardens / 0 Comments

While Moody Gardens is fun and entertaining, it is first and foremost a nonprofit educational destination utilizing nature in the advancement of rehabilitation, conservation, recreation, and research. Which is why it is the perfect destination for a field trip! There is so much to learn and explore at Moody Gardens. Guided and unguided programs are available. There are three different fantastic field trip options to choose from.

Rainforest Exploration

Students will get to experience hands-on fun with some of Moody Gardens’ exotic animals at The Learning Place. A guided tour through our “tropical classroom,” the Rainforest Pyramid, gives students the opportunity to observe interesting plants, exotic fish, and colorful birds from the rainforests of Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The trip includes a visit to the MG 3D Theater for a multi-sensory viewing of an educational film.

Ocean Exploration

An instructional presentation starts off this underwater adventure and is followed by a guided tour of the Aquarium Pyramid. In the underwater “classroom,” students observe exotic fish, unusual invertebrates, frolicking seals, and playful penguins. The Aquarium Pyramid features the underwater environment of the Caribbean, South Atlantic, North Pacific, and South Pacific. The trip includes a visit to the MG 3D Theater.

Funday

You can custom-design your own field trip by choosing your favorite attractions and creating a unique learning experience! Select a self-guided tour of the Aquarium Pyramid, Discovery Pyramid, a film at the MG 3D Theater, a simulated moving adventure at the Ridefilm Theaters, a ride on the Colonel Paddlewheel Boat (weather-permitting), or a multi-sensory experience in the 4D Special FX Theater.

For more information on field trips, visit us online at www.moodygardens.com. Be sure to let your local schools know!

For events in Galveston, be sure to check out Moody Gardens Attractions, Moody Gardens Golf Course, and Moody Gardens Hotel. We hope to see you soon!

All About Moody Gardens Aquarium Pyramid

November 27, 2012 / Moody Gardens / 1 Comment

Experience the beauty of the North Pacific, South Pacific, South Atlantic, and Caribbean with a visit to the ten-story blue-glass aquarium building. This incredible attraction features 1.5 million gallons of water and more than ten thousand marine animals. The Aquarium Pyramid is divided into four regions, each representing a different area of the oceanic world.

Caribbean Exhibit

The Caribbean Exhibit is the largest of the four. It features sharks, sea turtles, eels, and thousands of beautiful tropical fish that swim overhead as you wander through an underwater tunnel. The tunnel completely surrounds guests and is filled with one million gallons of water.

South Atlantic Exhibit

The penguins of Moody Gardens reside in this area of the pyramid! The South Atlantic Exhibit is designed to closely resemble the rocky beaches of the South Georgia Islands. You can view the penguins from both above and below the surface. With our Penguin Encounter program you can even get up close with the penguin residents and take home some of their fabulous artwork.

North Pacific Exhibit

The furry seals reside in the North Pacific Exhibit. Watch as they play on the rocky shore and dive into the water. A few feet away, you can watch the sea urchins, anemones, and other colorful marine creatures in the tide pool. A kelp forest houses the rich and diverse underwater world representing Northern California to the Gulf of Alaska.

South Pacific Exhibit

Go on a journey through the depths of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea! The South Pacific Exhibit features a tide pool with vibrant sea anemones and sea urchins. In the lower level, you can see more than 200 species of fish, stingrays, and sharks in their beautiful underwater environment.

New Exhibit: Sharks in Depth

The newest exhibit at the Moody Gardens explores shark fact versus fiction, shark anatomy, and shark behavior through hands-on activities. Learn how sharks survive, how they sense their pray, and what threats there are to the shark population. This exhibit is better than Shark Week! With an Aquarium Pyramid Shark Passport, you can learn to identify shark species from around the world.

If you’re looking to plan your family weekend getaways in Texas, don’t miss out on the Aquarium Pyramid at Moody Gardens. As part of our recent holiday offer, you will gain admission to the Aquarium Pyramid!

Why You Can’t Skip a Visit to Moody Gardens During Your Trip to Galveston

November 21, 2012 / Moody Gardens / 0 Comments

Moody Gardens is the perfect place to visit on your family weekend getaways in Texas. There is so much to do at Moody Gardens that it’s impossible to fit all the fun into one day! Not only are the year-round attractions incredible, but we also have seasonal fun depending on what time of the year you visit. You can’t skip visiting the Moody Gardens Aquarium Pyramid, Rainforest Pyramid, 3D Theater, and more!

Aquarium Pyramid: The Aquarium Pyramid is the largest pyramid at Moody Gardens. It houses four distinct ocean environments. When wandering through this big blue pyramid, you and your family will be entertained and entranced by the five species of penguins, the furry seals, and the famous Squirt, our blind sea lion. The colorful fish and coral reefs are nature’s art at its finest. Watch the sharks, sea turtles, eels, and tropical fish swim all around you as you walk through an underwater tunnel!

Rainforest Pyramid: A major enhancement project has allowed guests to experience the Rainforest Pyramid in a whole new way! You can now walk through an entry that overlooks a new Amazon River otter exhibit. A new treetop path leads you through the canopy level of the pyramid, allowing you to explore and see the monkeys, sloths, and other tree-dwellers closer than ever. Don’t forget to surround yourself with beautiful butterfly species in the butterfly exhibit. There are ten stories of rainforest magic to explore!

Moody Gardens Theaters. Choose from three different theaters, giving you three different experiences. At the MG 3D Theater you can enjoy larger-than-life images projected onto the largest movie screen in Texas. The Ridefilm combines both ride and a film, and the 4D Special FX Theater allows you to see, hear, feel, and smell the action with special effects such as wind, smoke, mist, leg ticklers, and seat buzzers!

The Aquarium Pyramid, Rainforest Pyramid, and the theaters at Moody Gardens are just a few of the reasons you can’t miss out on this famous tourist attraction. Learn more by visiting www.moodygardens.com. Don’t miss the Festival of Lights this holiday season if you are looking for Christmas events in Texas. We also have a special holiday offer going on!