Attraction showcases hundreds of types of creatures
Visitors to the Gran Acuario Mazatlan can see many different creatures, some of which are furry, others which are feathered and some of which are finned.
The Mazatlan attraction – a showcase for aquatic creatures – added some new creatures to its exhibits last year, with the capybaras – the world’s largest rodents – proving instantly popular, says the aquarium’s Karla GIl.
“Everyone’s obsessed with the capybaras. People are really curious,” she reports of visitor reactions to the mammals, normally found in South American wetlands.
The capybaras are newer arrivals, making their debut last year and plush toys of them are sold in the aquarium gift shop.
The Gran Acuario Mazatlan is the largest aquarium in Mazatlan and showcases sea, coastal and land habitats.
Gil says the attraction’s penguins draw great interest, with visitors eager to see the friendly creatures that enjoy feasting on anchovies. “They are social. They’re just happy to get fed.”
Gran Acuario Mazatlan visitors can get up close and personal with the penguins, watching them stroll along a platform in a coolish indoor setting that provides a comfortable setting for the birds.
Other intriguing creatures include sea horses, which Gil labels “masters of disguise.”
Gil reports that her attraction is actually home to hundreds of different species, including nurse and lemon sharks, which she says also prove popular with guests.
“People say, ‘I want to see something that can bite me,'” she reports.
Although sharks traditionally have had a fearsome reputation, Gil says generally there’s little for visitors to be concerned about.
“Humans are not part of a shark’s diet,” she reassures.
