Exposures of Marine Habitat

Atlantis Marine Habitat


	Exposures of Marine Habitat
	Before getting their first look at Paradise Island, vacationers, may not realize the unique opportunity they’ll have to explore a truly extraordinary collection of marine habitats and aquarium exhibits—lagoons, caves, coral formations and breathtaking underwater ruins designed to showcase exotic marine life ranging from dolphins and sea lions to sharks, rays, barracuda, to piranha, eels and even endangered alligator gar. Atlantis Resort host the largest such exhibit in the Caribbean and one of the largest in the world … encompassing 14 lagoons, eight million gallons of salt water and more than 50,000 aquatic animals representing over 250 marine species. The Dig There’s only one place in the world where you can embark on a journey through the streets and tunnels of the fabulous lost city of Atlantis while touting stunning marine life exhibits. Reflecting the tunnels and thoroughfares of the lost continent; Paradise Island’s The Dig features habitats for 100 venomous Indo-Pacific Ocean Lionfish, 500 piranhas, iridescent jellyfish and six-foot Moray Eels. There are special environments nine species of enormous groupers. And in separate, smaller “Jewel Habitats,” multitudes of brilliantly colored tropical fish dwell. Resort guests should plan ahead and remember not to miss the interactive touch tank aquarium—filled with conch, starfish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, crabs and horseshoe crabs—and designed to encourage vacationer interaction. It’s a once in a lifetime experience. Lobster Exhibit - Once used by the Atlanteans for waste disposal, this site has now been taken over by spiny lobster Panulirus argus and slipper lobster Scyllarides aequinoctialis. These reef dwellers grow by molting. This occurs when the shell, or exoskeleton, splits apart, exposing the new shell that has developed under it. Lionfish Exhibit - Once the end of a main street, lionfish Pterois volitans, spotted scorpion fish Scorpaena plumieri, and long-spine urchin Diadema antillarum now call this enclosed area home. Native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans, lionfish have become an invasive species in The Bahamas, outcompeting native species of fish. Jewel Tank Exhibit - Atlanteans placed written wishes in the holes within the wall behind this ancient icon. Today, these same holes are home to Cuban hogfish Bodianus pulchellus, queen angelfish Holacanthus ciliaris, and rock beauty Holacanthus tricolor. Grouper Exhibit - The goliath grouper Epinephelus itajara and the Nassau grouper Epinephelus striatus now make their home in what was once a part of the lab. The goliath grouper can grow to more than 8 ft. in length and weight more than 800 lb. Groupers gather annually in huge numbers to spawn on ancestral grounds. Seahorse Exhibit - This small chamber now houses our seahorse Hippocampus erectus exhibit. When reproducing, the female seahorse deposits her eggs inside the male’s brood pouch. The male then carries the developing babies until they are born. Seahorses have become endangered for a variety of reasons, including loss of habitat. Clownfish Exhibit - Made famous by the blockbuster movie Finding Nemo, the clownfish Amphiprion ocellaris and anemones Condylactis gigantea are housed in what is said to be a storage room that led to the back alleyways of the City of Atlantis. Jellyfish Exhibit - These two rooms are believed to be storage chambers used to store light-sensitive navigational documents. It is the perfect setting to view the purple-striped jelly Chrysaora melanaster and the moon jellyfish Aurelia aurita. These animals are 98% water and do not have a brain, central nervous system or eyes. Moray Eel Exhibit - This storage room for Atlantean pots and urns has become the perfect home for green moray eels Gymnothorax funebris. Eels are actually fish. The green color of these animals is produced by a yellow mucous layer, which overlays the darker blue skin. They grow to an impressive length of 6 ft. Piranha Exhibit - This vault-like chamber is where the Atlanteans would have stored their treasures and scientific records. Contrary to movie story lines, piranhas Pygocentrus nattereri do not mindlessly attack people and other animals as they enter the water. When hungry, these fish tend to attack weak and injured animals. Ruins Lagoon Located in Paradise Island’s Royal Towers, and viewable from within The Dig or the lower level of the Great Hall of Waters, the Ruins Lagoon is adorned with artifacts inspired by ancient Atlantis, and is home to more than 20,000 deep reef and pelagic fish. These open-water specimens include a variety of jacks, snappers and spiny lobster. The 2.7 million-gallon marine exhibit is a magnificent display of rare sleek sharks and rays. Resort guests can snorkel in this unbelievable setting during one of our exciting Sea Keepers Adventurers programs – Aquarist for a Day and Snorkel the Ruins. Marine Life in residence: Crevalle Jacks Caranx hippos, Cottonwick Grunts Haemulon melanurum, Zebra Sharks Stegostoma fasciatum, Spotted Eagle Rays Aetobatus narinari and more. Predator Lagoon and Mayan Temple Lagoon Located at Paradise Island’s Mayan Temple, resorts guests can see Great Hammerhead Sharks Sphyrna mokarran, Smalltooth Sawfish Pristis pectinata, Barracudas, Blacknose Sharks Carcharhinus acronotus, Caribbean reef sharks Carcharhinus perezi and Nurse sharks Ginglymostoma cirratum by taking an exhilarating inner tube ride through a clear underwater tube – or from the dry comfort of the surrounding deck via panoramic windows. Vacationers can also sign-up to "Walk with the Sharks" underwater with specially designed underwater helmets. It’s a rare habitat that’s not to be missed. Cenote Inspired by one of the innumerable natural wonders of the Yucatán, the legendary cenote sagrado—underground caverns and pools that were sacred to ancient Maya because they represented the rain god Chaac. On Paradise Island the Cenote is a habitat for pacu, redtail catfish Phractocephalus hemioliopterus, cichlids and the endangered Alligator Gar Atractosteus spatula. Resort guests can plunge down the Power Tower's Abyss water slide and actually splash down into the cave’s environment. Estuary Lagoon Paradise Island’s Estuary Lagoon serves as transitional home for many immature Atlantis marine specimens. A secure shallow-water nursery environment where Southern stingrays Dasyatis Americana and Bonnethead sharks Sphyrna tiburo are spend their early years in safety. For guests of the resort – especially younger ones – it’s a unique educational opportunity and a chance to observe these species as newborns. Reef Lagoon The Reef Lagoon is a fascinating marine habitat home for Paradise Island’s bottom-dwelling nurse shark residents. And an opportunity for resort guests to get an up close and educational look at a collection of marine animals who protect Atlantis’ myths and treasures. Hibiscus Lagoon Paradise Island’s Hibiscus Lagoon is an incredible underwater world; a meandering home to Green sea turtles Chelonia mydas, Hawksbill turtles Eretmochelys imbricata, Triggerfish, and Bermuda chubs Kyphosus sectatrix. It represents a special opportunity for vacationers to explore breathtaking marine habitats and visit these exotic marine animals. Seagrapes Lagoon Located just steps away from Paradise Island’s Beach Tower, the Seagrapes Lagoon is a 500,000-gallon marine habitat housed within a Bahamian cave where exotic reef fish and gentle rays shift and blend; creating a kaleidoscope effect that’s been known to take a vacationer’s breath away. Viewing windows provide close-up sightings of sea life ranging from French Grunts Haemulon flavolineatum, Queen Angelfish Holacanthus ciliaris, Blue Parrotfish Scarus coeruleus and Rainbow Parrotfish Scarus guacamaia to Butterflyfish and even Squirrelfish. And during feedings, resort guests have the opportunity to watch the resident stingrays being fed by hand. Stingray Lagoon Take a few steps outside Paradise Island’s Beach Tower and you’ll find yourself at the sandy, shallow, Stingray Lagoon; an exquisite marine habitat that affords resort guests an up-close look at Southern stingrays Dasyatis americana and Cownosed rays Rhinoptera bonasus. During feeding times, vacationers even have the opportunity to touch and feed the graceful creatures. It’s chance for close up marine life interaction that’s not to be missed. Royal Ray Lagoon Resort guest will have a wide range of choices when it comes to entertainment or educational tour options during their stay on Paradise Island. One no vacationer should miss out on the opportunity to visit is Paradise Island’s Royal Ray Lagoon—home to two local species of stingrays: White-spotted Eagle Rays Aetobatus narinari and Southern stingrays Dasyatis americana. Located outside Royal Towers, along either side of the Royal Walk. Water's Edge During their stay on Paradise Island, resort guests have a wide range of choices when it comes to entertainment or educational tour options. The opportunity no vacationer should miss out on to visit is Paradise Island’s Water’s Edge Lagoon—a shallow and tranquil marine habitat inhabited by sea life such as Bone fish Albula vulpes, Bonnethead sharks Sphyrna tiburo, Blacknose Sharks Carcharhinus acronotus and Cownose rays Rhinoptera bonasus. It’s a sea life experience you won’t soon forget. Source: official site of Atlantis (2013)