She's the cutest little thing ever.
I know we're not supposed to gush, but just try to resist the new otter pup at the Seattle Aquarium. She's five pounds of fluffiness with a sweet little face and bright eyes and a stubby tail. When I visited in late January, the two-week-old baby, born Jan. 14, was bobbing around in the tank like a cork, next to her mother, Aniak. Grandma Lootas swam in from the adjoining tank, and Aniak scooped up the pup and held her away from grandma. Later Aniak lifted her pup onto the ledge where the baby scooted around on her belly, peered over the edge and finally rolled off into the water. The aquarium researchers said that this was the first day they'd seen the baby start to groom herself.
If you want to see her as a little fluffy thing, you need to visit in the next four weeks. She'll begin to shed her puppy fur at about six weeks of age, and by 10 weeks, her coat will look like an adult's, and she will learn to dive. Another reason to visit now is that the Aquarium is uncrowded, and children can get a great view of the otter tank and other eye-level exhibits. (Big crowds come during Octopus Week, Feb. 18-26.)
Speaking of octopuses, you can see two of them clearly in their tank on the main floor of the Aquarium. When I was there, the divers were also practicing for Octopus Week by handling one of the largest creatures in the Underwater Dome, showing its tentacles and mouth to the fascinated children. Interpreters are always on hand to answer questions, such as, "Why aren't the octopuses always in the Underwater Dome?" Answer: "They'll eat everything else in here."
It takes about two hours to see the entire Aquarium. If you have toddlers and preschoolers, they'll be most fascinated by the extensive touch tanks on the main level with bright green sea anemones, purple sea urchins and orange sea stars. Next to the popular octopus tank, they can walk under a clear acrylic arch filled with water and moon jellies. The creatures on the nearby "Closer Look" tables change every couple of months.
The main tank of the Pacific Coral Reef tanks, with its neon-colored tropical fish, is also at eye level. The smaller tanks, interpreting the various coral reef creatures, are better for school-age children because they are too high for little ones to see unless you lift them up, and they include a lot of detail. Do walk by the exhibit of multi-colored coral, shaped like fans, trees and even brains. "That was my very, very favorite when I was little," exclaimed one 5-year-old frequent visitor.
You reach the otters via the side door, going by shore birds and salmon. The adjoining marine mammal exhibits for the harbor seals and northern fur seals are being renovated, so vantage points are limited. If you need a rest, go down to the Underwater Dome, that has seating all around. Children can run around at will and see the variety of fish swimming past. If you need a longer break, there's a full-service café upstairs.
Where: 1483 Alaskan Way, Pier 59, Seattle waterfront
When: Open daily, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: Adults $19.95, children 4-12 $13.95, children 3 and younger free. Combination rate with Argosy Harbor Cruise, $21-$35. CityPass for six attractions over nine days, $39-$59. Annual memberships: $80 for individuals, $95 for families (two adults and up to five children or grandchildren). Community Ticket program offers 20,000 complimentary tickets to low-income residents through Seattle Parks and Recreation, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound, the Salvation Army or the YWCA.
Upcoming Special Events
Toddler Time: Free play time for children 5 and younger, Feb. 6, 7 and 13, 9:30 a.m.
Octopus Blind Date: Watch what happens when sixteen arms, six hearts (three hearts each) and two giant Pacific octopuses meet on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, noon.
Octopus Week: Extra talks, demonstrations, activities and two octopus releases, Feb. 18-26.
Contact: 206-386-4300; www.seattleaquarium.org.
Wenda Reed is a frequent contributor to Seattle’s Child, who has always loved the Aquarium. The big felt board with movable felt creatures – her son’s favorite when he was 5 – is still there after 25 years.
