Page 54 - South Mississippi Living - July, 2023

Tito.
The Tides Are
story and photos courtesy of Mississippi Aquarium
Pelé.
The first major expansion at Mississippi Aquarium since the park’s opening is nearly complete and will be celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in August. The new attraction inside Changing Tides presented by Kessler Federal Credit Union will add over 7,000 square feet of indoor exhibition space housing more than 130 new species throughout three biomes.
When you step through the doors of Changing Tides, you will be beckoned towards the new exhibit by a softly glowing sign above the entrance which reads “Kelp Forest.” It is the first of three environments
that will transform Changing Tides into a winding, cavernous trek along the
ocean floor, through a tropical jungle, and swimming along a coral reef
and past the diverse wildlife which live in each habitat.
When you cross into the Kelp Forest, you will be immersed in
an underwater forest where only hints of sunlight peek through long
strands of green algae reaching towards the surface. The Kelp Forest
will feature marine life that live in the
colder waters of the ocean hiding among the watery plants which thrive in this environment. Overhead, shark silhouettes will swim above to guide you along a meandering path through this aquatic jungle. Along this part of the journey, you will encounter residents who call this habitat home like sea horses, purple urchins and a giant Pacific octopus. Children and those limber enough will get a peek of the eight- armed invertebrate’s cavernous dwelling by crawling into the Octopus Den. It might be tempting to take a nap here but a tropical jungle adventure will be waiting just around the corner.
From the Kelp Forest, you will emerge
into the warmer climates of the Rainforest biome surrounded by fallen trees and foliage enveloping you along your journey, showcasing an even more diverse group
of residents. Along with colorful, yet endangered, fish you might find in the rivers and streams of the Amazon, snakes, spiders, insects, birds and mammals will inhabit the path. Chief among them will be two of the
54 | July 2023
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