Stingray Feeding
Help feed the cownose rays in Stingray Touch!
Connect with animals in a one-of-a-kind, hands-on experience. Stingray Feeding gives you the unique chance to get even closer to animals and nature, by helping to feed these supple, strong—and flat-as-a-pancake fishes. Give these bottom-feeders a fun seafood treat and watch them flap against each other and your fingers!
Stingray Feeding is open Saturday, May 15 - Sunday, October 31.
Exclusive members-only dates: May 23 (all members) and June 6 (Auxiliary Board)
Dates
Daily while Stingray Touch is open, May through October.
Exclusive dates for members: May 23 (all members) and June 6 (Auxiliary Board)
Times
Feeding times are 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Price
$5 ($3 for members)
Add this experience when you arrive, see a Shedd Team Member for assistance.
Ages
6 years old and up
How to join a Stingray Feeding
- When you arrive see a Shedd Team Member for assistance in adding this experience to your ticket.
- You’ll be instructed to wash your hands before and after feeding or touching the rays.
- The rays’ diet consists of seafood, if you participate, you will be touching fish. Please do not participate if you have seafood/shellfish allergies.
- Instructions for how to hold the rays’ food and feed them will be provided before the experience.
Additional questions
If you have additional questions about this experience, please contact us at [email protected] or call us at 312-939-2438.
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Rays eat a mixture of seafood every day. You’ll most likely be feeding them either silversides or anchovies.
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The health and welfare of the animals always comes first. We set aside a portion of their diet for these guest feedings, while keeping the rest for our animal care team to feed them.
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These are some of the things we need guests to wash off before putting their hands in the stingray habitat. This helps us provide the very best and healthiest home for the animals.
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Stingrays' mouths are on the underside of their bodies. You’ll be guided to feed them in a way that keeps all fingers away from their mouths. Unless you’re feeding a ray, the most comfortable and safest places to touch them are their backs and “wings.”
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The rays have free roam of their habitat–it's their home! They have space to get close to guests, but also move away when they want to. A little patience can go a long way. Give them a chance to join you!
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