Tag: Rainforest Pyramid (Page 2 of 3)

Our Dedication to Saving Animals

January 28, 2013 / Moody Gardens / 2 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.

Learn about Moody Gardens Scout Programs

January 25, 2013 / Moody Gardens / 0 Comments

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!

Why 2012 Was the Year of the Bat

January 24, 2013 / Moody Gardens / 0 Comments

Bats
Each year, Moody Gardens makes an effort to bring attention to parts of the world and certain animals in need of support. This past year was the Year of the Bat, as declared by the United Nations. Throughout the year, a variety of events were held at Moody Gardens to bring attention to this important animal, which is often overlooked.

Moody Gardens to raised money to donate to Bat Conservation International (BCI). BCI conducts and supports science-based conservation efforts for bats around the world. They work with many other organizations to combine research, education, and direct conservation to maintain bats’ environments and survival far into the future.

One of the first events at Moody Gardens was the Bats Are Doin’ It: A Fundraiser for Animal Lovers. The event was held in February at the Moody Gardens Visitor Center and tickets ranged from $50-$90. Proceeds from ticket sales (including raffles) and donations were donated to Bat Conservation International. The event also brought attention to the ecological importance of bats, such as eating harmful insects and pollinating crops, such as bananas and mangoes. The purpose of the event was not only to raise funds, but also to increase appreciation for the misunderstood species.

A second Year of the Bat event held at Moody Gardens was the Bats for Bats Fundraiser. Starting in October and going on for several weeks, Moody Gardens held online auctions of sports memorabilia. Items such as a Texas Rangers’ Michael Young autographed photo were sold and the proceeds donated to BCI.

Now that 2012, the Year of the Bat, is over, we are looking forward to any future conservation efforts Moody Gardens will be making!

Come visit us on your next family weekend getaways in Texas, and learn more about the animals of the Aquarium Pyramid and Rainforest Pyramid. Be sure book your stay at the Moody Gardens Hotel.

Moody Gardens Offers Year-Round Fun

January 16, 2013 / Moody Gardens / 0 Comments

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 / 7 Comments

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 / 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.

The History of Moody Gardens

November 30, 2012 / Moody Gardens / 0 Comments

Moody Gardens began as an extraordinary vision to create an island tourist destination. It has grown to become one of the premier education and leisure facilities in the Southwest, with approximately two million visitors annually.

1986: Moody Gardens began as a horse barn with a riding arena that provided a hippotherapy riding program for people with head injuries. The Hope Arena convention center was established, which later expanded and became the Moody Gardens Convention Center.

1988: White Florida sand was brought across the Gulf of Mexico to create Palm Beach. Seaside Safari opened and is now The Learning Place, home of our educational programs.

1990: The production area opened, which included two greenhouses used to propagate most of the plants seen on the ground for our Medicinal Plant Program.

1993: The famous Rainforest Pyramid opened its doors, featuring over 1,700 exotic plant and animal species from all over the world. The Garden Restaurant also started serving delicious food to our customers this year, and America’s first IMAX 3D Theater started showing films in the MG 3D Theater Complex.

1997: The Discovery Pyramid debuted with NASA-inspired exhibits.

1999: The family friendly accommodations and tranquil services of the Moody Gardens Hotel and Spa opened. The hotel is an architectural masterpiece featuring 428 rooms and over 22,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, dining, and a full service salon and spa. The 1.5 million-gallon Aquarium Pyramid opened as one of the largest aquariums in the world.

2004: The hotel gained a brand new 125-room wing, and the Exhibit Hall grew by 60,000 square feet.

2005: The 4D Special FX Theater opened, creating a totally new way to experience the movies.

2008: After a $16 million renovation to the Galveston Municipal Golf Course, the Moody Gardens Golf Course opened, becoming the premier golf course of Galveston.

2011: The Rainforest Pyramid and Palm Beach reopened after extensive enhancement projects, making Moody Gardens better than ever.

If you’re looking for a fun place to visit on your family weekend getaways in Texas, don’t skip the Moody Gardens. Our family friendly Moody Gardens Hotel gives you a luxurious place to rest your head at night, while the Moody Gardens Golf Course and attractions will keep the entire family entertained all day.

All about Moody Gardens Rainforest Pyramid

November 29, 2012 / Moody Gardens / 2 Comments

At the Moody Gardens Rainforest Pyramid, you can experience one of the most authentic rainforest recreations in the world. The ten-story glass pyramid features over one thousand exotic plants and animals from the rainforests of Africa, Asia, and the Americas. A recent $25 million enhancement project has improved the attraction, making it more realistic and bringing you closer than ever to a true rainforest experience.

As part of the enhancement project, a new walkway was built in the Rainforests of the World, which overlooks the endangered giant Amazon River otter exhibit. The unique walkway leads you into the pyramid at the canopy level. In the canopy level you can explore the rainforest from above, allowing you to get closer to the free-roaming tree-dwellers of the rainforest such as birds, sloths, white-faced saki monkeys, and cotton-top tamarins.

Featured in the canopy walkway is one of the most famous attractions in Moody Gardens: the butterfly exhibit. Several species of beautiful butterflies flutter around you as you wander through.

The next part of your journey takes you to the cloud forests, which are considered nature’s water towers. Observe the colorful frogs and artifacts from people of the rainforest before heading down to the rainforest floor. The nocturnal exhibit on the rainforest floor is home to a prehensile-tailed porcupine, African palm civet, and other creatures that only venture out after dark.

On the rainforest floor you will also discover plants and animals from the Asian rainforest, such as the carnivorous pitcher plant, colorful orchids and fish, and two Chinese alligators.

The rainforests of Central and South America are filled with colorful macaws, a spotted ocelot, and a flowing waterfall! You can also learn about the smells and spices of rainforest food in the interactive exhibit. Tour the Mayan ruins, home to a giant anaconda, piranha, caiman lizards, and even vampire bats!

The final stop on your Rainforest Pyramid adventure is down the Africa trail where you can marvel at the spider plant, giant windowpane palm, and the dead rat tree. Don’t worry; there aren’t actually dead rats in the tree! On your way out, you’ll be able to experience the ground-dwellers of the rainforest, including a Daramaland mole rat, Brazilian rainbow boa, and a cobalt blue tarantula!

Click here for ticket prices and more information.

Don’t miss out on a visit to the Moody Gardens Rainforest Pyramid during your next family weekend getaway in Texas. Moody Gardens is the place to be for the best events in Galveston. Learn more at www.moodygardens.com. We hope to see you soon!

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!