Fact Sheets

Adventure Aquarium is home to over 8,500 animals, including a variety of fish, sharks, reptiles, amphibians, stingrays, invertebrates, mammals, birds and more. There are a variety of ways to learn both about the species you will encounter at Adventure Aquarium. These Animal Fact Sheets were prepared by the New Jersey Academy for Aquatic Sciences - Adventure Aquarium's Education Partner and contain in-depth information about the species you and your students will encounter during your visit.

SHARKS
Learn all there is to know about one of nature's fiercest and most misunderstood species. Sharks are fish, but are far from ordinary! Curious about how long sharks live? Why a shark's skeleton is so special? Why sharks have so many teeth? These questions and more answered.

BIRDS
Birds evolved from ancient reptiles 190 million years ago. Today, there are more than 8,700 species alive today, ranging in a variety of different sizes. Find out all there is to know about the ancient species.

REPTILES
Reptiles developed from early amphibians and first arrived on the scene 345 million years ago. There are more than 6,000 species of reptiles alive today, represented by turtles, alligators, crocodiles, snakes, lizards and more. Find out all there is to know about this scaly species.

MAMMALS
The first mammals appeared on earth about 225 million years ago during the Triassic Period. Learn all there is to know about this most familiar (and certainly relatable!) of all animal groups on earth.

AMPHIBIANS
Today, 5,000 species of amphibians can be found worldwide, including frogs and toads, newts and salamanders. They first appeared about 370 million years ago from water-dwelling vertebrates. Find out what makes this species so special! 

RAYS
Rays, skates, sawfish and guitarfish all share the same cartilaginous skeleton as a shark, as well as many other features. Find out all you wanted to know about these curious species, including why they're so flat and more!