They make a leg making a splash since 2000.
The Long Island Aquarium celebrates its 25th anniversary this year with many of its original marina life that is still flying and swimming in Riverhead.
“The sharks are 26 years old, and I have some fish in the reef tank that I have been 26 years old, among many others,” said co -founder Joe Yaiulo to the post.
“That is a loan for our staff, which really caresses the quality of life that animals need.”
Yaiullo remember to have acquired the four sand tiger sharks from the Aquarius just before opening in 1999, when they were only 30 inches long.
Now, the teeth of the predators of the apex are as acute as they look at around 400 pounds and 10 feet long.
And the exceptionally good can rise to the water with them.
Diving with sharks
For almost 20 years, the aquarium has offered guests the opportunity to challenge the death of taking a diving in the cage its 120,000 gallons tank. Participants are accompanied by a diving professional and should wear a neoprene suit, facial mask and weights to prevent them from floating.
Two females, Bertha and Bumps, are the largest of the four, Bur Drummer and Shredfin are only smaller compared.
The monsters similar to the “jaws” were curious when the post became part of a recent immersion in the temple salt water of 68 degrees. A shark collided with the metal bars of the cage, which causes them to influence the notice of one notice from one side to another.
The tank also has several exotic fish, including a mere of Queensland Durdue, a green moray eel and several low stripes, along with another unique marine life, such as the colorful Damishisf.
Everyone is safe from sand tigers simply because they are “lazy” predators who do not feel that persecution is the effort, Yaiullo explained.
Just keep swimming
Outside the shark tank, there is much to do with the Marine Center, which has expanded its footprint since its opening 25 years ago and now presents reptiles, insects and large mammals.
They proudly show gray beauty, a blind stamp rescued from an East Hampton beach in 1997, in the front of the property so that everyone sees it.
“It was found blind. She was emaciated, malnourished, she had a scar on her back. He had a respiratory infection,” said Candyce Paparo, animal training director.
“The rescue center could rehabilitate it. And bring it back to good health,” added the 25 -year -old employee.
Gray Beauty joins another 5 -year blind seal, Buddy Holly, who was found in Fire Island a few years ago.
“You will still see them chasing the other animals or playing. It’s really surprising.”
Paparo is also in charge of the four marine lions of the Aquarius, two or that they were born in 2001.
Routinely they perform in an outdoor stadium, showing their jump skills and their ability to react to command keeping fun postures, and taking selfies, sometimes planting a kiss kiss to the guests.
“It can take years to train them, but some things that can collect in a matter of days,” Paparo explained.
Along with being House of four new adorable otter puppiesSouth African penguins have been fans since they arrived in 2004.
Maggie Seiler, assistant curator or penguins, explained that the group of 19 was originally brought after being confiscated in customs in the mid -2000s. While the details about their history of origin are still confused, Seiler knows that “everyone loves them.”
“They have that black and white appearance, that aspect of tuxedo, the way they wobble, all about them,” he said.
“People are so excited to see them.”