Aquarium houses more than fish

The many tanks at the aquarium are kept clean by divers like this, who regularly ‘immerse’ themselves in their jobs. You can get close-up looks at everything from hermit crabs to dolphins at the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi.

A 45-minute drive from Port Aransas, the Aquarium features exhibits including Swamp Tales, which tells the conservation success story of the American alligator, and highlights species that are threatened and what can be done to help protect them. Swamp Tales features Bo, a 10-foot-long American alligator, and six species of freshwater turtles.

The Aquarium also offers a unique experience to live the life of a dolphin trainer. This four-hour private experience is available Friday through Monday from 7:45 a.m. until noon and costs $250. Folks also can meet the Aquarium’s three dolphins, Shadow, Kai and DJ, through the Deckside Dolphin Encounter. Make reservations for meeting the dolphins and their trainer with pre-payment by calling (361) 881-1307 or email reserve@txstateaq.org.

The Wild Flight Show gives guests an up-close-and-personal view of raptors, hawks, and other birds of prey, while providing an educational background on these animals and their wild counterparts. The Aquarium, at 2710 N. Shoreline Drive, is accessible by U.S. Hwy. 181.

Admission is free for members and $16.95 for those 13 and older. Senior citizens 65 and older and members of the military pay $15.95, and children age 3 to 12 pay $11.95. Children 2 years old and younger are admitted free. Parking is $5. The Aquarium is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hours are extended to 6 p.m. from March 1 through Labor Day. It is closed Thanksgiving and Christmas days.

A splash park built at the Aquarium last year closed for the winter, but it’s scheduled to open again on March 1.

The Aquarium’s phone numbers are (361) 881-1200 and (800) 477-GULF. The website is texasstateaquarium.org.