CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS – This morning, the Texas State Aquarium celebrated the grand opening of its new Tentacles exhibit with a ribbon-cutting event. Tentacles, presented by the Robert J. Kleberg, Jr. and Helen C. Kleberg Foundation, will provide guests with a close up look at several jellyfish species, as well as cephalopods, such as octopus and cuttlefish species.
Tentacles will also include a jellyfish touch tank, which will provide visitors with a rare opportunity to interact experientially with these beautiful creatures. All of our interactive touch tanks are staffed with educators and interpreters, giving visitors of all ages the unique experience of safely touching animals while learning more about them and their importance.
Tentacles was made possible, in part, thanks to a generous $150,000 gift from the Robert J. Kleberg, Jr. and Helen C. Kleberg Foundation, as well as contributions from the Prichard Family Foundation, Joan and Herb Kelleher Charitable Foundation, and Behmann Brothers Foundation.
“The Robert J. Kleberg, Jr. and Helen C. Kleberg Foundation, known for its commitment to wildlife and habitat stewardship, has been supporting the Texas State Aquarium since before we opened more than 25 years ago,” noted Aquarium President and CEO Tom Schmid. “We are grateful for their continued generous support both of our new Tentacles exhibit and our mission of engaging people with animals, inspiring appreciation for our seas, and supporting wildlife conservation.”
Species included in the Tentacles exhibit are: Comb jellyfish; Moon jellyfish; Blubber jellyfish; Atlantic sea nettles; Pharaoh cuttlefish, or common cuttlefish; Cannonball jellyfish; Pacific sea nettles; and a Giant Pacific octopus.
