Panther Chameleons, like the ones that will be part of the Tennessee Aquarium’s new Island Life exhibit, can change colors to regulate body temperature or communicate. Photos by Casey Phillips/Tennessee Aquarium
On March 15th, the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga will open a new exhibit entitled “Island Life."
This new exhibit is intended to rethink how island life is defined, taking visitors through an exploratory excursion of remote ecosystems both above and below the sea. “I think our guests will enjoy challenging their thoughts about islands and why these locations are special," says the aquarium's director of external affairs, Thom Benson. "Coral reefs are underwater islands, as are mountain streams in the Southeast U.S. These habitats are separated from other locations and have become home to a remarkable diversity of life over time. The Island Life gallery nests very well inside the overall Aquarium experience. I think people will enjoy the new exhibits and perhaps view the rest of the animals and habitats with new eyes after becoming immersed in this new gallery.”
The odyssey through Island Life will take guests around the world from sea to shining sea; their cross-continental journey will include stops such as: Vancouver Island, Indo-Pacific Reef, Cave of the Flashlight Fish, Clownfish and Anemones, and Marvelous Madagascar. Throughout the gallery, the tour will be led by Leon the Chameleon, who will appear on interactive graphics, encouraging younger participants to get involved and ask questions about islands and the animals on display.
Splitfin Flashlight Fish. Photo by Todd Stailey, Tennessee Aquarium
"For the first time, we are offering interpretive graphics on two levels," Benson says. "One group, led by Leon the Chameleon, will be at eye-level for kids. The others will be fascinating for adults. And there are a number of kid-friendly features that will be very exciting for younger visitors (and kids of all ages)."
Visitors will also have the ability to manipulate the speed of the video footage of Chameleon’s tongue in mid-flight, practice their best clownfish impressions, light up touch-sensitive Flashlight Fish, and snap selfies atop a massive sculpture of a Galapagos tortoise sponsored by Tennessee American Water.
When asked why this exhibit is bound to excite visitors of all ages, Benson states, “I think this gallery will be very popular with our guests because of the stories behind the incredible animals they’ll meet, many of which they may be encountering for the first time. For example, not many people are familiar with Flashlight Fish. These fish have bacteria living in their cheeks that glows. And, this fish has a special pocket that can be moved to hide or display their lights. So this part of the gallery will look like we have an underwater swarm of fireflies on display. They are just one of the amazing animals in this new space.”
After visiting Island Life, visitors can go on to watch a pair of stunning giant-screen films at the Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater. Showing through May 24th is Oceans: Our Blue Planet, which will feature footage displaying the vast diversity and remarkable beauty of the planet’s largest, least-explored ecosystem. Throughout the summer, guests will have a chance to join narrator Kristen Bell as giant panda cubs are trained for reintroduction to the wild in Pandas 3D.
Tickets, showtimes. and additional information available at tnaqua.org.
Dozens of White-spotted Rose Anemones like this one, will undulate with waves inside the Vancouver Island exhibit with sea stars and Surf Perch.
Native to the island of Madagascar, Golden Mantella Frogs are a brightly-colored, poisonous species that retain toxins from the insects they eat in the wild.
Split Fin Flashlight Fish flash under the glow of a dim red bulb. Normally, these deep-dwelling fish are hard to see, except by the flashing lights generated by bioluminescent bacteria housed in a pouch under their eyes.