Animal Updates | Mammals | Volunteering
Thursday, November 20, 2008
How To Pet A Porcupine | Hugh 
The wonderful benefit about having various program animals around the Aquarium is how much you can learn from them. For instance, before I met one of our new program animals my perception of all porcupines was that of a slow awkward ground dwelling creature that was bristling with sharp needles pointed in all directions that was just waiting to impale your body. Needless to say that I was also sure that porcupines did not possess Positive Thigmotaxis like sea lions and did not like to be touched. Then I met Tito the porcupine.
Animal Updates | Mammals | Education | Volunteering
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Animal Spotlight: Meet Tito the Prehensile-tailed Porcupine | Staci
Have you heard the news? A new resident has moved in to the Aquarium‘s Explorer‘s cove! He’s covered in stiff, sharp spines called quills. He has a big, round, fuzzy nose. He’s an expert climber with the aid of his prehensile tail. Welcome Tito the prehensile-tailed porcupine, the newest addition to the program animal family!
Conservation | Mammals
Thursday, October 23, 2008
A CLOSE ENCOUNTER WITH BOBCATS | Hugh
The watershed of Southern California through its rivers, creeks, and washes, feeds wetland areas that support biodiversity within our urban environment. These wetlands help maintain an environmental food chain that runs from the tiniest worm and plant to high end carnivores On a walk through one of these wetlands earlier this year, my wife Pam and I encountered one of these high end carnivores in the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine, California.
Volunteering | Mammals
Thursday, October 09, 2008
GETTING “THIGGY” WITH MILO THE SEA LION | Hugh
Thigmotaxis is the scientific term to describe an animal’s need to be in physical contact with another animal. The mammalogist call positive thigmotaxis “Getting Thiggy”. Milo our young California sea lion definitely likes to get Thiggy with his trainers.
Conservation | Volunteering | Birds | Mammals | Turtles
Thursday, September 25, 2008
FROM SEA TO CEMENT-A Walk Along The San Gabriel River | Hugh
Wildlife seen on a walk from the mouth of the San Gabriel River between Alamitos Bay and Seal Beach, to where the river turns into a cement storm channel about 4 miles inland.
Conservation | Whale Watching | Mammals
Thursday, July 31, 2008
BLUE WHALE FLUKE PRINTS AND POOP PRINTS | Hugh
An adult blue whale can eat over 4 tons of krill per day and just like you and I after gorging ourselves on our favorite foods, a lot of what enters our body via the mouth, usually exits the body a bit further down.
10 Year Anniversary Stories | Volunteering | Mammals
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
TOPAZ: THE CAT THAT THE AQUARIUM WAS BUILT AROUND | Hugh
Which animal at the Aquarium of the Pacific has been there the longest? Is it one of the sea otters? Perhaps it’s one of the seals? Maybe even one of the sharks? Actually the animal with the longest tenure at the Aquarium is Topaz the cat. Now… I know what you’re thinking: What is a cat doing at an aquarium? Well, truth be told, Topaz was here at the site way before the first fish ever swam here. This is his story.
Conservation | 10 Year Anniversary Stories | Volunteering | Amphibians | Birds | Fish | Mammals | Sharks | Turtles
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
HUGH’S TOP TEN AQUARIUM MEMORIES AND EXPERIENCES | Hugh
This June 20th is the tenth anniversary of the Grand Opening of the Aquarium of the Pacific back in 1998. However, this June 6th is my ten year anniversary of the day that I started volunteering at the Aquarium. To commemorate my anniversary day, this week’s blog is about my top ten Aquarium memories and experiences.
Education | Volunteering | Fish | Mammals
Sunday, May 25, 2008
It’s so nice to be appreciated! | Josie
Along with the national Volunteer Appreciation Week came lots of treats for those of us who give our time freely for no pay at the Aquarium of the Pacific. My, how it’s nice to be appreciated!
Education | Mammals
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Leading an Animal Encounter: Sea Otters | Staci
In addition to continuing to blog about some of the goings-on in the Marine Mammal Department, I thought it would be nice to share some stories from other parts of the Aquarium as well! I’ve recently started as an Aquarist Volunteer in our Tropical Gallery, and I continue to be part of the paid staff in the Education Department. Each job brings new and exciting duties, and this past week was the first time I was able to lead one of our Animal Encounters focusing on one of my favorite animals: the sea otter. Ever wondered how we prepare for our Sea Otter Encounter and what happens during the two-hour tour?
