A popular resting place?

On my morning rounds, there's a spot I always look forward to seeing when I pass by the Cook Strait tank. And that's this...a green sea Green seaturtle nestled between the acrylic glass and the rocks. It has such an indescribable expression...We often receive worried comments from visitors who have seen it, and also in Aquarium surveys, but it's just resting with its body between the acrylic glass and the rocks. Please rest assured. It's not just Green seaturtle that come to rest in this spot where the acrylic glass and rocks meet.This Port Jackson's Japanese bullhead shark also often comes to rest when the Green seaturtle turtle isn't around. It's very cute, isn't it?These are the two species I see most often, but just the other day I saw an unusual visitor.And that's this...Wow, there's a shrimp!This shrimp is called a "packhorse lobster."It's called that because when it grows up it looks like a horse loaded with cargo. Even the lobsters, who usually stay at the bottom, come up to this rocky area to rest, and it seems to be a favorite resting spot for all the creatures in this tank. When you pass by, be sure to take a look and see who's resting there!

Reptiles and amphibians

2026.06.08

Do you like it there too?

A green sea Green seaturtle shows off its belly to visitors in the Cook Strait tank . Here's a different angle. I can't believe it managed to fit into such a narrow space. Come to think of it, there used to be a green Green seaturtle here that loved it. → "That's your regular spot, don't leave it there." It seems to like this spot because it can rest with its shell fixed in place. We managed to capture it squirming around with its body inside, so please take a look. I thought it was cute to see it stretching out with its hind legs together. This is a narrow space, but the turtle can get in and out by itself. However, the staff member was worried that visitors might start worrying again, saying, "My turtle's stuck in there!"

Reptiles and amphibians

2025.10.07

This is how turtles rest

How are you all doing with these hot weather days? Hot days make you want to relax in a cool room, don't they?! This time, let's take a look at two different resting styles of the turtles we keep at our aquarium: the Green seaturtle and the South American River Turtle turtle! They have their own unique ways of resting quietly and comfortably. Green Green seaturtle[Exhibition location: Cook Strait tank] Green seaturtle live in the ocean. They rest motionless in the water, tucked into rock crevices or among coral. They occasionally surface to breathe, but when relaxed, they can remain submerged for several hours. Our Green seaturtle rest by wedging themselves between the rock and the acrylic... Giant South American River Turtle[Exhibition location: Ecuador Rainforest tank] South American River Turtle, on the other hand, live in freshwater. What's unique about them is that they don't tuck their necks straight in, but instead bend them to the side and fold them next to their shells to rest! They can rest on land, but especially in the water they float still with their legs stretched out. I wasn't able to get a photo of them bending their necks, but before the museum opened, they were resting still on the water's surface! Turtles that live in the sea and rivers rest in ways that are suited to their respective locations. This summer, before you get too exhausted, it might be important to "rest in a relaxed way, in your own way" like the turtles!

Reptiles and amphibians

2025.08.09

Good night

The South American River Turtle in the back yard. Currently, there is one South American River Turtle -Necked Turtle in the "Ecuador Rainforest" exhibition tank and one in the back yard, and the exhibits are changed about once a month. Usually, it makes a big fuss, demanding "Give me some food!", not to be outdone by the fish it lives with. Its eyes are wide open. One evening, I checked on the tank and... It was sitting still at the bottom. An even closer look! Ah, it's sleeping with its eyes closed! It's refreshing to see a fish that never closes its eyes even when it's resting. "Good night, South American River Turtle Necked Turtle," I said, and quietly turned off the lights in the room.

Reptiles and amphibians

2025.06.27