Animals include native and invasive species, including opossum named Benjamin
CLEARWATER, FL (Nov. 19, 2024) – The Clearwater Marine Aquarium team has launched an exciting new exhibit, “Florida: Wild and Exotic,” which opened in the Atlantis Theater across from the Mangrove Key Kids Zone. This exhibit will showcase a variety of fascinating species, including amphibians, arthropods, reptiles and small mammals, all to help educate visitors about both native and invasive species in Florida.
Natural species include: Perdido Key beach mice, Florida kingsnake, Virginia opossum, Lesser sirens, Sargassum fish, golden silk spider, hermit crabs and seahorses.
Invasive species include: Colombian red-tailed boa, cane toad, veiled chameleon, smallwood anoles, Tokay gecko and bark scorpions.
“We’re thrilled to bring this educational and engaging exhibit to life for our team and our guests,’ said Kelly Martin, vice president of zoological care at CMA. “There are so many new residents to Florida who might not know about these animals. And even if you’ve been a long- time resident, it’s a great way to educate yourself about your possible “neighbors.”
The exhibit will include Benjamin the opossum, who has been acclimating to his habitat since CMA welcomed him in September. He was brought to CMA for rehabilitation from the Nature World Wildlife Rescue after he was attacked by a dog when he was about one month old.
Because he was shaken, he currently exhibits long-lasting neurologic and physical deficits, including the inability to balance, curving/tilting to the right, inability to turn or climb down trees, and inability to hold an item and balance simultaneously. Benjamin is now approximately five months old and weighs about five pounds.
CMA will highlight the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Pet Amnesty program, which offers Floridians a safe way to surrender pets without any questions or penalties—an alternative to releasing non-native animals into local ecosystems.
In addition, CMA is promoting Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) “Not a Pet” campaign, which addresses the illegal trade of live wildlife as pets and the risk of zoonotic diseases caused by the live pet trade, both legal and illegal.
The exhibit space will also provide an interactive experience for kids with animal coloring sheets, helping them connect with Florida’s ecosystems, and will offer insights on responsible pet ownership.
While Virginia Opossums are not threatened or endangered, they are affected in the wild by habitat loss, deforestation, agricultural expansion and urbanization, vehicle collisions, trapping and poisoning.
Here are some additional facts about opossums:
- Playing dead is not voluntary – This involuntary reaction is a defense mechanism aiming to deter predators from eating them.
- Opossums have opposable thumbs – These specialized digits are on the hind foot and does not possess a claw like its’ other toes.
- They have prehensile tails – it’s a long and hairless tail that the animal will treat like an appendage. It provides balance and stability and allows them to suspend when climbing or taking a break among the branches. Additionally, their tail can be used to assist with carrying nesting materials back to their dens.
- Opossums can live everywhere – they are found in very diverse environments throughout North America, and they are our only marsupial.
- They are opportunistic omnivores – they eat a variety of food such as fruits, vegetables, small mammals, dog/cat kibble and insects.
- Young opossums are honeybee-sized joeys in a pouch – females carry their young for about 12-14 days before giving birth. Newborns are called “joeys” that survive in their mother’s pouch for about three months before they leave the pouch and can be found travelling on their mother’s back.
- Opossums are immune to snake venom, excellent at controlling ticks, and are less likely to carry rabies because their body temperature is cooler than most mammals.
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Media Contact: Marsha Strickhouser | mstrickhouser@CMAquarium.org | (727) 242-0770
- About Clearwater Marine Aquarium
- Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working marine rescue center dedicated to inspiring the human spirit through leadership in education, research, rescue, rehabilitation and release. With a mission to preserve the environment and its marine life, CMA is home to rescued dolphins, sea turtles, river otters, stingrays, a nurse shark and more. Through Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, CMA conducts important global research focused on protecting manatees, North Atlantic right whales and sea turtles. Major motion picture Dolphin Tale (2011) and its sequel Dolphin Tale 2 (2014) features the true stories of rescued resident dolphins Winter and Hope, inspiring millions around the world. The mission and potential to change people’s lives differentiates Clearwater Marine Aquarium from any other aquarium in the world.
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We believe in preserving our environment while inspiring the human spirit through leadership in the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of marine life; environmental education; research; and conservation.
A Florida non-profit 501(c)(3) organization