The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk has introduced a colorful cast of animals to its exhibits, and each one has a story to tell.
From a parrot who knows his name and loves a good shower to a rare blue lobster found in just one out of every 2 million lobsters, these remarkable animals showcase plenty of personality, unique behaviors, and surprising adaptations. Get to know them better below.
Yellow-crowned Amazon: photo courtesy of The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk.
Yellow-crowned Amazon
Meet: A 26-year-old male parrot named Parker from the tropical rainforests of South America
Fun Facts: He can follow cues during training sessions and has learned a variety of behaviors, including saying his name, presenting his feet, and distinguishing between certain colors.
Favorite Things: Turning undersized bowls into personal bathtubs and a refreshing shower
Favorite Foods: Pears, fruit-blend pellets, and peanut butter
Hangout: Just Add Water Exhibit
Dwarf Shield-tailed Agama. Photo courtesy of The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk.
Dwarf Shield-tailed Agama
Meet: A 41⁄2-year-old male lizard from the deserts of Somalia and Ethiopia
Fun Facts: His throat can turn a striking metallic blue during mating
season or when showing off. The flat, spiky tail gives him his name and
serves as a defense system. He can wedge it into the entrance of a burrow
to help keep predators out.
Favorite Things: Basking under the UV light and burrowing his head beneath the structures in his exhibit
Favorite Foods: Crickets, wax moth worms, and salads
Hangout: Sea & Discover Zone
Screenshot. Photo courtesy of The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk.
Splashback Poison Dart Frogs
Meet: Four nearly 1-year-old frogs native to the southern Amazon Basin of Brazil
Fun Facts: Their vibrant colors can range from yellow-orange to red-orange, and some can even be bright red. While poison dart frogs are toxic in the wild, these frogs are not poisonous. Their wild counterparts get their toxins from the insects they eat in their natural habitat.
Favorite Thing: Hiding in the moss and inside the tree trunk in their exhibit. Keep your eyes peeled; they can be surprisingly difficult to spot.
Favorite Foods: Fruit flies and bean beetles
Hangout: Just Add Water Exhibit
American Blue Lobster. Photo: courtesy of The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk.
American Blue Lobster
Meet: A male lobster estimated to be more than six years old from the Atlantic coast of North America
Fun Fact: Blue lobsters are exceptionally rare, occurring in only about one in every 2 million American lobsters. Their blue color is caused by a genetic anomaly that leads them to produce extra amounts of a protein complex called crustacyanin, giving them their striking appearance.
Favorite Things: Spending time in his cave and digging along the bottom of his habitat
Favorite Foods: Shrimp and scallops
Hangout: Intertidal Touch Tank (No-Touch Side)
Green Moray Eel. Photo: courtesy of The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk.
Green Moray Eel
Meet: An eight-year-old moray eel from the Western Atlantic Ocean
Fun Fact: Green moray eels aren’t blind, but they do have poor eyesight. Their eyes are specially adapted to detect light sensitivity rather than fine detail, which helps them to spot movement from nearby prey and strike at the right moment.
Favorite Things: Hiding in the cannons (tubes) in the exhibit and peeking out at passing visitors
Favorite Foods: Herring, capelin and squid
Hangout: Sea Turtle Exhibit
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk works to ignite a connection to Long Island Sound and the ocean to enrich the lives of all people and inspire action to protect our blue planet. The Aquarium is home to over 8,000 animals of hundreds of species including seals, sharks, rays, jellies, turtles and meerkats. Additionally, it offers sensory-enhanced 4D movies, educational programs for schools and families, and leads conservation activities to better protect the wildlife and natural habitats of the Sound. The Maritime Aquarium is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums and receives support from the State of Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, Office of Tourism. For more information, visit www.maritimeaquarium.org.