Tag: Aquarium Pyramid (Page 2 of 3)

Watt – The Tough Penguin at Moody Gardens

May 29, 2013 / Moody Gardens

The toughest penguin at Moody Gardens is growing into a big guy just like his namesake.

Watt, a King Penguin named after Houston Texans star J.J. Watt, has already grown to around 3-feet tall and 30 pounds in just 2 ½ months.

Watt absolutely loves fish, which has helped him grow so big in such a short about of time. He is a curious little guy, but his dad still watches over him. He’s definitely not ready for his son to be exploring on his own.

Watt suffered a cut on his back shortly after breaking out of his shell. Under the care of Moody Gardens biologists, Watt proved he was one tough chick and made a quick recovery. Now he is on exhibit joining the nearly 100 penguins housed in the Aquarium Pyramid

J.J. Watt is the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year and one of the most popular athletes in Houston.

Come see Watt and the other penguins at the Moody Gardens Aquarium Pyramid. The Aquarium is currently open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.

: Watt the King Penguin

: Watt with his Dad

: Watt – Tough Little Penguin

: Watt – All Grown Up

Group Volunteer Opportunities

February 7, 2013 / Moody Gardens

Volunteering is a great way to boost morale and promote team building for your company, organization, or student group. Corporate and group volunteers at Moody Gardens have an opportunity to get involved with ground work and special events, such as the Festival of Lights.

At Moody Gardens, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do without the help of our incredible volunteers. We depend on them for assistance in many areas of operation.

The Corporate and Group Volunteer Program allows participants to provide hands-on assistance in many areas, including but not limited to:

Gardens and grounds keeping (mulching, planting, and weeding)
Painting
Exhibit upkeep
Event preparation
Cleaning attractions, such as the lazy river and playground structures, and surfaces
Paint and change bulbs for the Festival of Lights
Special events, such as Ghostly Gardens, Easter in the Gardens, and Festival of Lights

Corporate and Group Volunteer Program details:

Weather permitting, groups may volunteer year round
Highest need for volunteers is between September and May
A maximum of 50 volunteers will be accepted
Groups are taken on a first-come, first-served basis
There is a 4-hour minimum requirement
Must be 16 years or older
Children may not accompany adults while volunteering
Each participant must sign a liability waiver

Volunteering with a group gives you the opportunity to become part of the conservation and education efforts that are a major aspect of Moody Gardens. You also have the chance to give back to your community and meet new people.

When you aren’t spending your time helping us out, be sure to check out the popular attractions, such as the Rainforest Pyramid and Aquarium Pyramid. For overnight stays, check out one of the best places to stay in Galveston—the Moody Gardens Hotel. We are so appreciative of our volunteers, and look forward to working with you soon!

Sea of Love: Valentine’s Dinner at Moody Gardens

February 4, 2013 / Moody Gardens

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

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

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.

Learn about Moody Gardens Scout Programs

January 25, 2013 / Moody Gardens

BA12199 Boy and Girl Scouts can come for a day of fun and learning at Moody Gardens, and earn badges and merit badges through our Scout Programs.

Each scout workshop includes hands-on activities, a Moody Gardens attraction visit, and a guaranteed good time! While scouts are having fun, they are also meeting most or all of the requirements needed to earn specific badges.

For Cub Scouts, we offer badges for Wolves, Bears, and Webelos. For $100.00, up to ten participants (including chaperones) can participate and earn the following badges:

Wolves: Elective 13, Birds
Bears: Achievement 5, Sharing Your World
Webelos: Naturalist Activity Badge

Each additional participant is $10.00 per person. We also require one chaperone for every five cub scouts, and non-scout children are not permitted to attend the workshop.

Reservations are required and must be made at least two weeks in advance. Call 1-800-582-4673, ext. 4325 or email us at scouts@moodygardens.com for information and reservations.

For Boy Scouts, we offer Merit Badge Day, which gives them the opportunity to finish most of the requirements for a merit badge in just one day.

Upcoming Merit Badge Days at Moody Gardens include:

February 16, 2013 (Register on January 21, 2013)

Environmental Science $25
Communications $25
Oceanography $20
Nature $25

March 23, 2013 (Register on February 18, 2013)

Communications $25
Soil & Water Conservation $20
Mammal Study $20
First Aid $25

April 20, 2013 (Register on March 25, 2013)

Oceanography $20
Environmental Science $25
Nature $25
Bird Study $20

Registration begins at 9 a.m. on the designated days. Call 1-800-582-4673, ext. 4320 or 409-683-4320 to register. Private Merit Badge workshops are available for a minimum of ten scouts, and two weeks’ notice is required. You can also email scouts@moodygardens.com for more information.

Don’t miss out on exploring the Aquarium Pyramid or Rainforest Pyramid while you’re here!

Moody Gardens Offers Year-Round Fun

January 16, 2013 / Moody Gardens

Screen Shot 2013-01-09 at 4.57.21 PM At Moody Gardens, we are not a seasonal attraction that is only open certain times of the year. The fun here is nonstop and year-round! While we do have seasonal attractions, such as Palm Beach and Festival of Lights, we also have our popular Aquarium Pyramid and Rainforest Pyramid, and tons of events each month.

If you do happen to come during the winter or summer seasons, you can’t miss the Festival of Lights or Palm Beach. The Festival of Lights includes over 1 million holiday lights, and is the largest holiday lights festival in the area! Palm Beach opens in the summer, providing guests and island residents with Galveston’s only white sand beach!

Year- round attractions you can’t miss include:

Aquarium Pyramid
Penguin Encounter
Rainforest Pyramid
Discovery Museum
Colonel Paddlewheel Boat

Moody Gardens also offers three different theaters that provide unique cinematic experiences. Catch your next film at the Moody Gardens 3D Theater, Ridefilm Theater, or the 4D Special FX Theater. Each theatre provides a different kind of experience, from a regular 3D viewing to a ride featuring a 180-degree wraparound screen!

Be sure to stay up to date with our Calendar of Events. Each month we have Birding 101 and Birding 201. These free classes are designed to teach visitors about the variety of bird life living on Galveston Island. The classes are presented by Moody Gardens and Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council and available twice a month.

We also offer Pyramid Camp for kids each month, with a variety of different themes. Sign your kids up for Pyramid Kids Camp: Catch Me If You Can in February or Pyramid Kids Camp: Primate Palooza in April!

Learn more about the fun at Moody Gardens by exploring our website.

If you’re looking for family weekend getaways in Texas, book your next trip at the Moody Gardens Hotel. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Moody Gardens Offers Live Webcams!

December 19, 2012 / Moody Gardens

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.

Shop at Moody Gardens!

December 17, 2012 / Moody Gardens

Once you’re done exploring all the beauty and entertainment that Moody Gardens has to offer, be sure to take home some great souvenirs. Moody Gardens’ souvenirs and paraphernalia also make fantastic gifts, which is important to keep in mind during the holiday season. Moody Gardens offers a few different shopping options for your retail fix!

The Shops at Moody Gardens: There are two different gift shops in Moody Gardens. One can be found in the Aquarium Pyramid and the other one is located in the Visitors’ Center. These shops offer unique and high-quality apparel and souvenirs for visitors to take home with them and remind them of the memories they created at Moody Gardens. Some of the popular items featured in the gift shops include:

T-Shirts
Souvenirs
Tropical plushies
Games
Educational toys
Scientific toys

Boutique Le Fluer: This high-quality Moody Gardens Hotel Gift Shop is the perfect place to shop for items that capture the memories of your stay. The shop is located next to the registration lobby and carries a variety of keepsakes for sale. Shop for: eclectic souvenirs; Moody Garden logo items such as sweaters or key chains, jewelry, swimwear, resort fashion apparel, and regional treasures.

Shopping Shuttle: Moody Gardens Hotel also offers a complimentary shuttle to the Historic Shopping District in Galveston on the weekends. The Shops at Seawall and Strand are the best places to get in a little retail therapy while you stay in Galveston, which we wouldn’t want you to miss out on!

If you’re looking for a family-friendly hotel in Texas, then look no further than the Moody Gardens Hotel! Moody Gardens is the perfect place for your next family getaway in Texas. Soak up the sun along the coast of the Gulf, and enjoy the educational entertainment of the Aquarium Pyramid, Rainforest Pyramid, or Discovery Museum.

Learn More About the Animals at Moody Gardens

December 14, 2012 / Moody Gardens

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.