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Top 10 Sensational Facts about the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas

The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is located on the Mississippi Riverfront at the foot of Canal St in New Orleans. Built in 1990, the aquarium is adjacent to the French Quarter and sits at the core of Downtown New Orleans. Ranked as one of the places to visit in New Orleans, USA Today voted the aquarium as one of the top five in the United States.

At the aquarium, you will experience different aspects from the Amazon Rainforest to the Mississippi River, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean. Among the unique animal species available at the aquarium are the African penguin and the white alligator. With more than 250 different species and more than 3,600 animals, the aquarium offers a fascinating experience for all ages.

Amongst the unique features of the aquarium is a 30-foot-long Caribbean Reef Tunnel. In this tunnel, you experience what takes place in deep-sea diving. There is also a Seahorse gallery where you can observe the sea creatures in what comes close to their natural habitat.

Additionally, visitors can pet the young sharks or visit the sea otters, penguins, and colored frogs. For those interested in reptiles, the Amazon forest exhibit offers a range of exotic birds, poisonous frogs, and anaconda snakes.

Below are ten amazing facts about the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas.

1. The Largest exhibit at the Audubon Aquarium holds 400,000 gallons of water

Fish tank at the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans. Photo by Steven Fine/

The largest exhibit at the aquarium is the Gulf of Mexico exhibit. The massive tank holds 400,000 gallons of man-made seawater and is 17 feet deep.

The underwater sea life at the exhibit is a replica that’s a quarter the size of the offshore oil rig. In there are sharks, stingrays, and a sea turtle known as King Mydas.

2. The Audubon Aquarium is ranked one of the top five aquariums in the United States

Black stingray on water. Photo by Hoodh Ahmed on

Located on the Mississippi River in the French Quarter, the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is ranked among the United States of America’s top five aquariums.

3. The Audubon Aquarium is one of the largest facilities in the US

Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is one of the largest US facilities of its type. Run by the National Audubon Society, the aquarium opened in 1990 and has more than 500 different species.

Grouped by habitat, the aquarium has more than 10,000 creatures present. Some of the aquarium must-visit ecosystems are the Stingray Touchpool, Amazon Rainforest, and the Maya Reef.

4. The Audubon Aquarium is home to diverse species

White jellyfish Photo by Uriel Soberanes on

The aquarium is home to a wide variety of species found in North and South America. The aquarium offers different ecosystems throughout the facility. 

Visitors should ensure they visit the Gulf of Mexico Exhibit, Maya Reef Exhibit, Mississippi River Gallery, and the Amazon Exhibit.

During their interactions, visitors are likely to come face to face with diverse species such as penguins, the white gator, sharks, stingrays, jellyfish, and otters.

5. The Audubon Aquarium partners with the Louisiana Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Rescue

Sea turtle Photo by Hanjoung Choi on

The Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center in partnership with the Audubon Aquatic Center helps with the rescue, research, and conservation of many fisheries.

This is mainly done for the fisheries in the Gulf and those in the United States. As a coordinator of the Louisiana Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Rescue, The Aquarium helps with the release of sea turtles into the wild.

6. The Audubon Aquarium has a high definition IMAX Theater

In addition to interacting with the animals at the aquarium, you can also enjoy a movie in the Entergy IMAX Theater.

Located next to the aquarium, the theatre’s screen, projection, and high definition abilities live up to the IMAX reputation of quality.

7. The Audubon Aquarium is home to some endangered species

Barred Owl (Strix varia) at the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas. The owl is injured and would not survive in the wild. Photo by Steven Fine/

There are a number of rare and endangered species at the aquarium. One of these species is the white alligator.

It is estimated that there are about 100 white alligators only remaining.

8. The Audubon Aquarium has an African penguin breeding program

African penguins Photo by Fungai Tichawangana on

The aquarium has a successful program that breeds African penguins. Just like the African penguins, the South American penguins at the aquarium are also from the warm temperate zones.

The aquarium allows you to play with and feed penguins at a fee.

9. The Audubon Aquarium has rehabilitated sea otters

The aquarium is home to Buck and Emma, two Southern sea otters who were brought in 1999 from Monterey Bay Aquarium in California. Since it was not possible to return Buck and Emma to the wild, the aquarium created an environment to help them feel at home.

Their habitat includes a 25,000-gallon exhibit, rock nooks two swimming pools at different depths, and a large behind-the-scenes area. The sea otter is now an endangered species as it’s hunted for its fur.

Their numbers have increased due to conservation efforts but the sea otters still face a population decrease due to low food availability, net entrapment, diseases, and kelp harvesting.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service protects Buck and Emma and the care of these two otters has been entrusted to the aquarium.

10. The Audubon Aquarium suffered damage during Hurricane Katrina

Moray Eel at the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans. Photo by Steven Fine/

During Hurricane Katrina, the aquarium suffered damages mainly due to the loss of power. The generators and power supply shut down which resulted in the loss of about 10,000 fish.

The lost fish were restored once the aquarium was operational again a year later. The restoration process saw many more species added to the aquarium.

By being a unique site, the aquarium has served as a location for movies. In 2009, Nicholas Cage starred in Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans. The crime drama which is directed by Werner Herzog grossed more than USD 10 million at the box office. It also won the 2009 Christopher D. Smithers Foundation Special Award at the 66th Venice International Film Festival. Additionally, Life after people shot its tenth episode at the aquarium.