Shedd at night - Playtime

Come to Jazzin’ at the Shedd to see things you wouldn’t during regular hours! Like pool toys—very sturdy pool toys—in the Oceanarium habitats.

"One of the things we do for the animals at night is enrichment," says Ken Ramirez, executive vice president, animal programs and training. "During the day, we focus on training and personal interactions. At night, when we go home, we put enrichment items"— toys—"into the habitats for the animals to play with."

Thanks, Dad: Anemone clownfish

Visit the seahorse exhibit in our Waters of the World galleries and, in addition to our super dads, you might see our clownfish pair tending a clutch of eggs (deep reddish orange if they’re new or silver-brown if they’re ready to hatch) behind the small live coral they live in, just a little left of center in the habitat. The male thoroughly cleans a spot for the nest site, which could also be under a protective anemone, then presents it to the dominant female for her approval. If she likes it, she will breed, releasing hundreds of eggs. The male swims behind, fertilizing them. Mom (the larger of the pair) is primarily responsible for guarding the nest while Dad fans the eggs with water to keep them oxygenated and fungus free. They’ll also rub the coral (or anemone), which stimulates it to fully open, to help protect the clutch. No "eggs Nemo" for hungry predators while those stinging tentacles are waving around! Incubation takes eight to 10 days in our 78 degree salt water.

Thanks, Dad: Seahorses and seadragons

In the animal world, seahorse males would have the Father of the Year award tied up in perpetuity. After all, the male is the one who gets pregnant. The female lays her eggs in his pouch, where he fertilizes them and carries the developing young until they hatch. Then he gives birth in an explosion of tiny but fully formed seahorses.

Thanks, Dad: Titi monkeys

During our Mother’s Day blogs, we skipped over the two female titi (TEE-tee) monkeys that perch in the treetops above Amazon Rising’s Receding Waters habitat, not because they aren’t moms, but because among monkeys in the genus Callicebus, dad is typically the one who cares for the kids. Aside from the time an infant spends with its mother nursing and being groomed, it is literally in its father’s hands – when it’s not riding on his shoulders. From observations in zoos, the mother’s contact with the baby declines even more as it gets older. As the baby is weaned, the father is the one who shares solid food with it. By the time the baby is 4 months old, dad only carries it when he’s leaping through the trees or when there is perceived danger, and by the little monkey’s sixth month, it is getting around pretty much on its own.

Remember all those times your dad gave you a ride on his shoulders—Father’s Day is this Sunday, June 20!

Posted by Karen Furnweger, web editor

Dangers of plastics

Everyone has their hang-ups, and mine are made of plastic. I will do almost anything to avoid taking home a plastic bag or cup, which can land me in awkward situations – like the time I lugged home 24 cat food cans in an undersized backpack, or the time I canceled a coffee order at the airport because the baristas wouldn’t use my travel mug. Still, I’d rather see just how many library books I can cram into my reusable tote than yield to the temptation of an extra plastic bag.

Fish of the Month - Wild salmon from Alaska

June’s Fish of the Month is wild salmon from Alaska.

The pristine Pacific waters off the coast of Alaska are home to five types of wild salmon: pink, chum, sockeye, coho and Chinook -- the last one being Alaska’s official "state fish" and a dinnertime favorite of Right Bite staff! It’s no surprise why Alaska would choose salmon for this honor, as they are truly special creatures.

For starters, wild salmon are anadromous, meaning they’re born in freshwater rivers and lakes but quickly swim downstream to spend their adult lives in the salty Pacific Ocean. Once at sea, salmon can travel widely, feasting on crustaceans, squid, zooplankton and other organisms responsible for the beautiful pink-orange flesh that they develop.