Two Oceans Aquarium

The ocean covers 71% of Earth’s surface. It is home to an estimated 95% of all life, and the planet’s longest mountain range lies under the waves. 🌊 Despite this, much of the ocean remains unexplored and misunderstood. Misconceptions about the ocean can get in the way of us protecting some of the planet’s most vital resources. 🩵🪸 Uncover five ocean truths with us: https://lnkd.in/dxqUAbcA

Save the date: The last Trash Bash of 2024!🗑️ We’re wrapping up the year with our final Trash Bash beach cleanup, and we’re thrilled to be teaming up with Save a Fishie to make it extra special!💙 The ocean needs us, and this is your chance to join the movement to protect our beautiful coastline. Let’s end 2024 on a high note by cleaning up Lagoon Beach together! 🌍 📅 Date: Saturday 21 December 2024 ⏰ Time: 09h00 - 11h00 📍 Location: Lagoon Beach, Milnerton What to bring: ✔️ Weather-appropriate clothing ✔️ Reusable gloves (gardening/dishwashing gloves work great!) ✔️ A big smile! 😄 Let’s make this final bash of the year unforgettable. Together with Save A Fishie, we’ll make a real difference for our ocean and its wildlife. 🌊🐠 Sea you there! 🐚

Our Turtle Conservation Centre has been working with Upwell Turtles to understand the “lost years” of juvenile turtles. 🐢 This international collaborative effort documents the movements and behaviours of early-stage sea turtles during their most enigmatic life history stages through the use of micro-satellite tags. Thanks to the incredible work of Sacha Specker and Black Bean Productions, we are thrilled to be able to share this story further. 💙 Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/efJMKABK

🐟 Seahorse Dad Gives Birth at the Two Oceans Aquarium! 🐟 A lucky visitor captured an extraordinary moment during their visit: The birth of baby Knysna seahorses! We couldn’t resist sharing this rare moment with you. In a bit of a twist of nature, it’s the male seahorses that give birth! After the female transfers her eggs into the male’s brood pouch, he nurtures them until they hatch. This role reversal is just one of the many reasons seahorses are such fascinating creatures. The newborns are now being cared for behind the scenes where the Aquarium team ensures their growth and wellbeing. Thank you to the Swanepoel family for sharing this unforgettable moment with us! 💙

Meet the feather-duster anemone! 🪶 Originally from distant waters, this unique visitor to South Africa stands out with its beautiful feather-like tentacles. At the top of its wide base, these "feathers" help it capture tiny snacks like copepods and larvae from worms, molluscs, and barnacles. Nature's very own underwater feather duster! ✨

During mating season, seahorses have a beautiful courtship ritual where they change colours and swim side by side with their tails entwined. 💙✨ The female deposits her eggs into the male’s pouch, where he nurtures them until they're ready to hatch. When it's time, the male goes into "labour," contracting his stomach to release tiny, fully-formed baby seahorses! Nature’s cutest role reversal! 🐣🐠 Visit them today! 🩵 📷: Frieke Mergaert

Did you know? The ragged-tooth shark has a unique trick up its fins! 🦈 Unlike other sharks that rely on a swim bladder or an oily liver to stay afloat, these clever “raggies” simply gulp air at the surface, filling their stomachs like a natural floatie! This little quirk helps them glide effortlessly through the water. 💙🌊 Visit them today! 🩵 📷: Frieke Mergaert

What do some penguins look like this? 🐧 Visitors to the Aquarium may notice that several of our African penguins have rather patchy-looking feathers at the moment... This is because they are undergoing their annual catastrophic moult when they lose all of their feathers so they can be replaced by fresh plumage. 🪶 It may look uncomfortable, but moulting is super important for feather health! By replacing the old, damaged feathers with a whole new set, the waterproof function of the feathers is restored and can once again keep the penguins warm and dry in the ocean. 🌊

One of the best parts of having a Two Oceans Aquarium membership is being invited to the members-only sleepovers! ✨🌊 Along with unlimited Aquarium visits and plenty of other perks, you and your family get exclusive invitations to special events organised just for you, like the festive sleepover coming up! 🎄 Get your membership today: https://lnkd.in/dK6zHqqV