The touch tank is coming along nicely so far this summer. We are getting everything ready so it is perfect for when we get our programs going! Upon visiting the tank today for a little cleaning and dinnertime I was caught by passengers returning from a cruise on the Thomas Laighton. I even had a few curious people come sneak a peak while I had the tank open. One inquisitive little girl was enjoying the tank very much. I was telling her about the scallops we have in the tank and showing her at all the little black dots inside the shell are eyes! As I picked up our largest scallop (about 3 inches in diameter) out of the water, it squirted water right into her face! After a little shock we were all able to laugh about it, but the girl wasn't feeling very open to holding a scallop anymore. The reason the scallop squirted the water was an escape method. Scallops actually can swim, to an extent, by opening and closing their shells quickly. The water that is forced out propels them through the water, very similar to a jellyfish. Scallops are very interesting creatures and though they may seem a little mean by squirting people, it was only trying to escape and the little girl just happened to be standing in the right spot.
We'd love for you to come learn about the scallops for yourselves and maybe you'll be lucky enough to be greeted by them as the little girl was! Or if you prefer to stay dry they are very interesting to look at through the tank walls.
Contact us now to see the touch tank!
www.BlueOceanSociety.org
603-431-0260
