Interview with Coral Reef II Captain Lou

All of the day-to-day operations on the R/V Coral Reef II are all handled by just three people. Our two captains, Captain John Rothchild and Captain Lou Roth, don't just navigate the boat. They also fix whatever breaks and keep everything in ship shape. They are helped by Chef Matt Cohen, who cooks our breakfast lunch and dinner. In this podcast, Captain Lou Roth talks about life on the R/V Coral Reef II and why he always enjoys the annual iguana research trip.

Posted by Dave Freeman, web contributor

Aboard the Floating Lab

We have been working hard to collect and study as many iguanas as we can over the past few days, and each day we look forward to returning to the R/V Coral Reef II (pictured) so that we can hook up our satellite terminal and download all of your questions and comments. It feels great to know students across the United States are learning along with us, and we really enjoy answering your questions. At night we are busy processing all of the blood samples that are collected from the iguanas we collected, but we are doing our best to answer as many questions as we can each night. We have answered some of your questions below, and we look forward to answering more soon.

"What is the longest iguana you've ever found?"
Head to tail iguanas can be as long as 52 inches (132 centimeters)

"How do iguanas talk to each other?"
Iguanas don't exactly talk to each other like people do, but they do communicate with one another through bobbing their heads, puffing up their bodies and other movements.

It's Lights Out!

Have you heard about Earth Hour? On Saturday, March 28, between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m., people around the world will turn off their lights to reduce their carbon footprint and raise awareness about global climate change. This inspiring event, which originated in Sydney, Australia, now involves nearly 1,500 cities in 81 countries –- including Chicago. Downtown buildings will go dark for an hour, and at Shedd we’ll turn off our exterior lights and those illuminating our dome. How will you celebrate Earth Hour? Tell us on our Twitter feed.

Green Signature Cruise to the Bahamas

Opportunities frequently arise for Shedd’s adult learners that I can’t wait to share…this one definitely fits into that category! Shedd’s education department is bringing back their adult travel program. Shedd’s Green Signature Cruise is a way for adults who share a passion for the natural world to travel to the Bahamas together to make a difference in this exotic environment. We’ll survey fish and invertebrates, research iguanas and restore beaches. It’s sure to be an exciting trip that leaves us with rewarding memories and the satisfaction of knowing we put forth the effort to decrease our carbon footprint.

Posted by Lisa Ostrego, public programs

Questions for the Iguana Research Team

Here are answers to some of the questions members of the Rock Iguana Research Expedition have received over the past few days:

"What types of fish live in the water? Can you take pictures of them under the water?"

There are hundreds of fish in the Bahamas, but some of the more common fish we might see while snorkeling in Andros include: spotted eagle rays, barracuda, parrotfish, needlefish, snappers, nassau grouper, sergeant majors, bluehead wrasse and nurse sharks. Hopefully you can research some of these fish on your own. Yes, it is possible to take pictures underwater with special waterproof cameras.

Building a Remote Operated Vehicle

Shedd’s education department is taking science investigation to the next level with our new integrated remote-operated vehicle programming. Last December, Shedd staffers and area teachers participated in an ROV workshop hosted by the National Marine Sanctuaries Foundation. Teachers tested their knowledge of aquatic science and engineering as they got their hands wet. Be the first to apply for the August workshop.

Here are reactions from participants:

Otters and Oil, 20 Years Later

Twenty years ago this week the oil tanker Exxon Valdez ran aground in Alaska’s Prince William Sound, spilling 11 million gallons of North Slope crude on 1,100 miles of pristine coastline. The immediate toll on wildlife was horrific.

Searching for Endangered Lizards

Iguana research proves to be hard, but rewarding.

From our floating research station, the R/V Coral Reef II, we are studying the Bahamian Andros iguana. Finding iguanas can be difficult, and today was our first day scrambling over rocky, brush-choked terrain searching for these large, endangered lizards.

Adrenaline surges through you when an iguana is spotted and it takes teamwork to surround and collect each animal. We spotted ten animals and were able to collect and release four of them. Dr. Knapp is gathering a wealth of data which he hopes will lead to a National Park set up specifically to protect the Andros iguanas.

Rock Iguana Research and Conservation

Shedd has been active in Rock Iguana conservation, studying several Rock Iguana populations in the Bahamas since 1994. Volunteers have been helping researchers through Shedd's annual Iguana Research Expedition for the past 13 years.

Through its partnership with Wilderness Classroom, students, teachers, parents and friends will be able to learn right along with researchers and volunteers via blogs, photos, videos, and more. This unique opportunity will allow you to share the experience with us from your own home or classroom.

New Pics of Oceanarium Construction

 Whale harbor