STRANGE SEA MONSTERS ARE BACK AT MIAMI SEAQUARIUM

 “Savage Ancient Seas” Returns with New Prehistoric Exhibits

From huge carnivorous marine reptiles to the biggest sea turtles that have ever lived, Miami Seaquarium invites park guests to embark on a paleo-adventure unlike anything else they have ever seen. With brand new additions like the 17 foot Archelon, the largest sea turtle ever found, living or extinct, and the incredible Elasmosaur, Savage Ancient Seas returns to Miami Seaquarium from March 7 – May 31, 2009.

Following its high successful showing at the park in 2008, Savage Ancient Seas will showcase carnivorous fish and giant sea reptiles that lived under the seas 70 million years ago, when the last great dinosaurs roamed the Earth and a shallow sea spread across the middle of the continent.  19 prehistoric marine skeletons from the Cretaceous Period will be on display at the park along with educational kiosks and hands-on touch stations.

Included with the price of admission, the temporary exhibit features an impressive collection of rare and unique skeletons mounted in poses that reflect true to life stories of predator attacking prey.  Savage Ancient Seas will be housed in the Windows to the Sea Exhibit at Miami Seaquarium.

‘Some of the sea creatures from this period may be ancient relatives of the marine mammals we know today,’ said Isabel Sanchez, Education Manager at Miami Seaquarium. “I am excited to know park visitors, especially the younger ones, will have this education component added to their Miami Seaquarium experience.”

 The never before seen in South Florida exhibit includes:

·        The true giant among giants, the 17 foot Archelon, is the largest turtle ever found.

·        A flock of Pteranodons: two flying, one standing, a life restoration

·        Clidastes, a shallow-water mosasaur, and a life restoration scaled to this skeleton

·        A 12.5 foot and a 17 foot Xiphactinu, the meanest fish you’ve ever seen, in a spectacular 3-D mount

·        Discovered in 1867 by a passing pioneer, the Cope Elasmosaur.

·        A school of Pachyrhizodus, prey of Xiphactinus, and one of the most photographed specimens in the collection

·        A rare infant Toxochelys sea turtle,  the size of a dinner plate

·        The toothy scowl of a Xiphactinus, a giant carnivorous fish