February School Vacation Happenings

The Aquarium may be under construction but there are still new exhibits to explore, fascinating animals to get to know and eye-popping IMAX movies to watch! Here are some highlights to add to your February school vacation must-see list:

A newly hatched epaulette shark held in the hand of a New England Aquarium biologist

SHARK NURSERY: The New England Aquarium has the largest shark and ray touch tank on the East Coast, but where does the Aquarium get all those cool, small sharks? We breed them here in frigid Boston! Over the last two years, talented Aquarium biologists have been shark obstetrician to nearly 100 pups including coral cat sharks, epaulette sharks and guitarfish. A new exhibit showcasing the shark nursery and the Aquarium’s shark breeding program makes its debut for school vacation. See more pictures of these adorable shark babies in this post on Exhibit Galleries blog.

The chameleon –like cuttlefish hovers suspiciously ready to change color if threatened.

COLOR-CHANGING CUTTLEFISH: Ask some serious fish nerds what their favorite animal is and there is a good chance that they will mention cuttlefish, which are both freaky and very cool. Cuttlefish are the cute, chameleon-like cousins to squid and octopus. They hover in the water like a spaceship with their multiple arms and bookish eyes forming a face that is strangely engaging and even hypnotic. When they feel threatened, they change color and skin pattern in just a few seconds! The Aquarium’s cuttlefish tank currently looks like an armada of alien spacecraft as nine cuttlefish patrol the water column wary of some of their pesky neighbors.

The Last Reef 3D

NEW IMAX MOVIE - THE LAST REEF 3D: Can’t afford to fly to the Caribbean? Take a mini-tropical vacation diving on the world’s most beautiful coral reefs. Using new macro 3D technology, The Last Reef 3D will reveal a clarity and detail to life on a coral reef not seen before. The film tells the story of the challenges facing coral reefs in the 21st Century and emphasizes the resilience of these cities beneath the sea. Check show times and get your tickets online.

As you can see, this February school vacation is a fantastic time to visit. Here are some visiting tips to keep in mind that'll help make your visit go swimmingly:

• Double check the Aquarium's hours.
• Plan to visit before 10:30 or after 3:00 p.m. to avoid peak crowds.
• Buy your tickets or Aquarium membership online and skip the line on the Aquarium's Plaza.
• live blue™ and commute by public transportation via commuter rail, subway or boat (or check for nearby parking options).