More MOTE

We had so much fun at Sarasota's MOTE Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, that we just had to return. 

This painting represents the real size of Megalodons that used to cruise the oceans! We have seen replicas of their jaws in other museums before, but this really puts it into perspective. I'm hoping to one day find one of their teeth at a beach or river... someday!

Later we met a guy at a flea market who sells megalodon teeth that he found in the St Mary's River. 

He let me hold one. They're very heavy! 

Somehow we missed these Sea Dragons last time. They are so unique and we loved watching them swim!

Watching the manatees eat.

These tiny shrimp are called Dancing Ladies.

Watching seahorses. They breed them here, so cool to see the babies.

Checking out of Neon Goby and Brine Shrimp breeding displays. You need a magnifying glass to see the speck-sized babies. 

This section of the lab is where they breed and study skates. It's setup so visitors can really get a good look at what is going on. After breeding, the female lays a pair of eggs every 4-5 days from January thru June. The eggs hatch after about 85 days and a 6 inch skate emerges. 

This visit they had just carefully opened an egg case also known as a "mermaid's purse" (dark object on the right) and removed the baby skate (left) so that it's embryonic development can be observed. We estimated this one was about 40 days along based on its size and that of the yolk sac that is attached. As it nears its 85 day gestation, the sac will gradually decrease while the body increases.

Here is a full-grown skate. They look very similar to stingrays.

Of course they had to touch the baby sharks again and I had to visit my favorite cuddlefish!