Skates and rays at the VLM


I am in the process of redecorating the interior of the Ray/Skate exhibit and will soon be replacing the southern stingray (Dasyatis americana) http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/gallery/descript/southernstingray/southernstingray.html that has outgrown the exhibit. Its tankmate was moved into our largest Chesapeake Bay Aquarium several weeks ago and is thriving.
We will be replacing the ray with several little skates (Raja erinacea) http://www.marinebiodiversity.ca/skatesandrays/SKATES%20and%20RAYS%20(profiles)/little%20skate.htm and one larger individual we acquired from Woods Hole as a young of the year.
         One of the 4 little skates to go into the exhibit.
The large, male little skate is on currently on exhibit with our chain dogfish – pictured below – (Scyliorhinus retifer), but he also will join the other skates.
I am attempting to install a piling/pier type structure inside the exhibit, which is now undecorated, except for the substrate. The new exhibit should be more attractive, more natural, and more dynamic. We are also adding graphics that include several other ray/skate species that we commonly collect in the future.  

Heads Up!

The Virginia Living Museum will open at 11AM to the public today to allow staff to get operations up and running after extensive power loss last night.

This will NOT interfere with regular summer camp operations, camp will begin at 9AM. 

Thank you for your patience!

Wild Explorations

Heads Up! The Changing Exhibit Gallery, where our Wild Explorations exhibit lives, will close at 3PM today in preparation for an after hours event!