Oceans
From the shallow-water sharks of coastal kelp forests to the solitary octopus in a seafloor cave, ocean animals display astounding adaptability in the world’s temperate and cold oceans.
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SEARCH
The octopus often hides during the day, with help from a flexible body and color-changing camouflage.
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RELAX
The Kelp Forest habitat is a soothing scene, with swaying fronds and hiding places for horn sharks and rockfish.
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CONNECT
Come eye to eye with eerie California moray eels and giant sea bass.
A Niche in Every Nook and Cranny
Dive deep to discover the breathtaking variety of animals in our ocean, each perfectly adapted to thrive in habitats from shallow coral reefs to mysterious, dark depths.
Encounter fierce leopard sharks weaving between swaying kelp, or vibrant seadragons gently drifting in the water’s current. Come eye to eye with slimy California moray eels as they slither in and out of hiding places in rocky reefs, or observe spotted ratfish, ancient kin of sharks, withstand the depths’ low light and high pressure.
A giant Pacific octopus uses all eight arms to explore some special enrichment—and even tries to grab an extra snack!
Life at the Bottom: Eight Aquatic Animals in the Benthic Zone
Creatures that live at the bottom of oceans, lakes and rivers are called benthic. At the aquarium, look down to see animals creeping, crawl...
Meet the Animals in Shedd‘s Kelp Forest Exhibit
Kelp forests are diverse habitats, home to everything from sharks to flounders to anemones. Get to know the animals in Shedd’s Kelp Forest exhib...
Eight Strange and Wonderful Facts About Octopuses
Octopuses can rival the creatures of science fiction: big-eyed, multi-armed, soft-bodied, shape-shifting and venomous, with incredible inte...