Mystic Aquarium

Stingray Bay
One of our most mesmerizing indoor exhibits features Charlotte the Green sea turtle and three kinds of stingrays.

Charlotte, a Green sea turtle, lives among the rays in Stingray Bay. She came from the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island, GA where she was rescued after being struck by a boat propeller, which caused partial paralysis of her lower digestive tract and hind flippers. As a result, air accumulates in her hind-quarters, a condition popularly known as bubble butt. Though Charlotte is currently non-releasable, there is a chance that with long-term rehabilitation she could recover and possibly be released back into the ocean in future years. Until then, she is serving as an ambassador for her species, charming and inspiring more than 725,000 guests at Mystic Aquarium each year. She’s even inspired a book!

Gliding through the exhibit are Atlantic, Southern and Cownose rays. Watch for Hoover, the Southern Ray with the 4-foot wingspan!
o Cownose Rays (Rhinoptera bonasus) are found in the Western Atlantic from as far north as Massachusetts to as far south as Brazil. Rays are a cartilaginous fish, which means they lack a true backbone, have the ability to sense electromagnetic fields and lack a swim bladder - with few exceptions they will sink if they stop swimming.
o Southern Stingrays (Dasyatis Americana) prefer shallow coastal and estuarine habitats. Female southern stingrays can reach a maximum width of 8 feet, while males reach a maximum width of 6 feet.
o Atlantic Rays (Dasyatis sabina) are the smallest and most colorful rays at Mystic Aquarium. They prefer the shallow water of coastlines and estuaries, and unlike most other ray species, can tolerate both salt and fresh water.

Shark Lagoon
Four species of sharks grace Shark Lagoon: Nurse, Blacknose, Sandtiger and the beautiful Zebra shark. They share the exhibit with Bluefish, Yellow Tail snapper, and the Great Barracuda.
o Nurse sharks (Ginglyomostoma cirratum) are nocturnal, resting on sandy bottoms or in crevices during the day. They are born about 12 inches long and can reach 14 feet long as adults.
o Blacknose Shark (Charcharhinus acronotus) reach maximum lengths of 4.5 feet and have an approximate lifespan of 9-10 years
o Sandtiger sharks (Carcharias taurus) can grow to 9 feet in length. Sandtiger sharks come to the surface to gulp air, which they hold in their stomach, this allows the shark to hover motionless in the water.

When you visit, be sure to read the signage around the exhibit to learn shark facts and fiction, and why they’re in danger.