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Aquarium of the Pacific 🐋 @aquariumpacific.bsky.social · 4d

On the latest episode of our podcast, Aquarium of the Podcific, Aquarist Brooke discusses Our Living Coastline, the Aquarium's newest exhibit! Get the scoop on how this immersive, accessible habitat came to life and why it’s a must-see. 🤩 🎧 pacific.to/podcific

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Aquarium of the Pacific 🐋 @aquariumpacific.bsky.social · 4d

Scientists once categorized sea jellies and ctenophores in the same phylum, but the differences between these groups have now been well characterized. Both jellies and ctenophores are now on display at the Aquarium!

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Aquarium of the Pacific 🐋 @aquariumpacific.bsky.social · 4d

Instead, ctenophores have sticky cells called colloblasts that do not sting, and eight rows of cilia, or combs, that propel them through the water, producing a flickering, rainbow-like appearance with their movements. 🌈

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Aquarium of the Pacific 🐋 @aquariumpacific.bsky.social · 4d

While they have similarly translucent bodies, live in the same waters, and eat the same kinds of food, combs and other ctenophores are not true jellies due to the lack of stinging cells.

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Aquarium of the Pacific 🐋 @aquariumpacific.bsky.social · 4d

There are at least 100 species in this phylum, Ctenophora (Greek for combbearers and pronounced teen-o-for-uh).

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Aquarium of the Pacific 🐋 @aquariumpacific.bsky.social · 4d

Comb jellies are ctenophores, and we’re highlighting them today in honor of #CtenophoreDay. Ctenophores are often referred to as jellies due to their appearance, but they are actually a type of gelatinous animal in their own phylum.

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Aquarium of the Pacific 🐋 @aquariumpacific.bsky.social · 4d

UFOs? A music festival viewed from space? Some sort of rare gem earrings? No, these are "Mnemiopsis leidyi", aka comb jellies! 🧵

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Aquarium of the Pacific 🐋 @aquariumpacific.bsky.social · 8d

It's molting season on Penguin Beach! Every year, our Magellanic penguins replace their old feathers with new ones. During this time, the birds may look scruffy and will not go swimming, but in about 30 days, they will have a fresh set of feathers. 🪶🐧

a molting penguin stands on a rocky surface with rockwork in the background

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Aquarium of the Pacific 🐋 @aquariumpacific.bsky.social · 13d

Sea otters go to the doctor too! 🦦🩻

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Aquarium of the Pacific 🐋 @aquariumpacific.bsky.social · 15d

Want to dive deeper? 
🎧 Listen to Season 1, Episode 1 of Aquarium of the Podcific: Sea Otters pacific.to/podcific
🫧 Book a Cameo from Elsie of The Pacific Pals for a fun, mission-supporting personalized video
💌 Adopt a sea otter pacific.to/adopt
🌐 Explore our Animal Database pacific.to/aboutotters

sea otter absolutely serving (aka giving a model pose) on a pile of ice

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Aquarium of the Pacific 🐋 @aquariumpacific.bsky.social · 15d

When sea otters thrive, they keep sea urchins in check, which means more giant kelp, more habitat, and more fish and shellfish calling the kelp forest home.

In short: more otters = healthier oceans! 🌊✨

two sea otters looking mischievous on a pile of ice

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Aquarium of the Pacific 🐋 @aquariumpacific.bsky.social · 15d

It’s Sea Otter Awareness Week! 🦦 Did you know sea otters are ocean influencers with a huge impact on marine ecosystems? As a keystone species, they help keep everything in balance. 🧘

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Aquarium of the Pacific 🐋 @aquariumpacific.bsky.social · 18d

Another rescued sea turtle has returned to the ocean after receiving rehabilitation and care at the Aquarium! Yesterday, our staff released an adult female green sea turtle at Seal Beach due to its proximity to a resident green sea turtle population.
www.aquariumofpacific.org/news/story/a...

Aquarium of the Pacific Releases a Rescued Green Sea Turtle into the Wild after Rehabilitation

The sea turtle was rescued, brought to the Aquarium for medical care and rehabilitation, and was released at Seal Beach

www.aquariumofpacific.org

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Aquarium of the Pacific 🐋 @aquariumpacific.bsky.social · 20d

Our podcast, Aquarium of the Podcific, is back! Catch up on all things conservation with Johanna Hultberg, Conservation Manager of Fish & Invertebrates.

🎧 Visit pacific.to/podcific or find Aquarium of the Podcific anywhere you listen to podcasts!

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Aquarium of the Pacific 🐋 @aquariumpacific.bsky.social · 26d

Someone is otterly excited about Long Beach Gives! Long Beach Gives is a citywide, online fundraising campaign to raise awareness and inspire community giving for Long Beach nonprofits. Early giving begins today! Support the our CELP Scholar Program: pacific.to/LBG2025

a sea otter holds a sign that says "Long Beach Gives" made up of seafood

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Aquarium of the Pacific 🐋 @aquariumpacific.bsky.social · 29d

Hennessy, the service dog, had the ideal Aquarium day! He saw lots of animal friends, got his caricature painted, and was rewarded with a frog plushie from the gift shop for being a #1 good boy. Great job, Hennessy! 🐾 Photos by IG user @beveragebuds

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Aquarium of the Pacific 🐋 @aquariumpacific.bsky.social · Sep 8

She is a wonderful octopus and has made an eight-armed impression on all of our hearts. In the coming days, she will be moved behind the scenes for the remainder of her life. 🐙🖤👻

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Aquarium of the Pacific 🐋 @aquariumpacific.bsky.social · Sep 8

Ghost, the giant Pacific octopus, has laid eggs and entered the final stage of her life cycle, senescence. Senescence begins when a female lays eggs and devotes the rest of her life to caring for them, neglecting her own basic needs like eating.

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Aquarium of the Pacific 🐋 @aquariumpacific.bsky.social · Sep 8

beautiful!

Reposted by Aquarium of the Pacific 🐋

🛰️🔥 Mike 🌀🌪️ @disastergis.org · Sep 3

Happy zebra shark is happy...

Just hanging out at the @aquariumpacific.bsky.social in #longbeach

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Aquarium of the Pacific 🐋 @aquariumpacific.bsky.social · Sep 7

EVERYONE SAY HIIIII THEO! 🐢

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Aquarium of the Pacific 🐋 @aquariumpacific.bsky.social · Sep 4

We love a themed outfit, but IG user @januaryregino and crew threw an absolute FIT 🦀 #loveourguests

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Aquarium of the Pacific 🐋 @aquariumpacific.bsky.social · Sep 1

VIP Tickets are now available! pacific.to/viptix

This package includes:

🎟️ Admission ticket with NO ADVANCED RESERVATIONS required
📸 15% off purchases at Amazing Pictures
🛍️ A $5 credit toward purchases in Pacific Collections
🎁 A special VIP gift
🌊 A VIP lanyard

a photo of a VIP pass with a sea lion in front of a blurred blue and water background

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Aquarium of the Pacific 🐋 @aquariumpacific.bsky.social · Sep 1

All about ✨acrylic✨

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Aquarium of the Pacific 🐋 @aquariumpacific.bsky.social · Aug 30

This long weekend is going to be a SPLASH! 💦

Make the most out of your visit to the Aquarium of the Pacific when you download our 📲 app. Search "Aquarium of the Pacific" in the app store and start building the schedule for your best day ever. www.aquariumofpacific.org/visit/app

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