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Animals at Georgia Aquarium
Home to close to 1 million animals split across 8 different exhibits, Georgia Aquarium is nothing short of an underwater heaven. Here are some of the most popular animal species one can hope to find at the aquarium:
Whale Shark
Size: Anywhere from 8 - 32.8 feet in length.
Diet: They primarily feed on Zooplankton, fish eggs, and sergestid shrimps. They also consume small fish, jellyfishes, and krill.
Habitat: They are found completely offshore in the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic oceans.
The whale shark is the largest fish in the sea. In fact, the largest ever whale shark measured at 61.7 feet (18.8 m) in length. They also migrate to find various different feeding grounds. However, they can take some time as they only move 3 miles per hour.
Fun fact: They can live up to a whopping 150 years.
Manta Ray
Size: Manta Rays can grow up to 20 feet in length.
Diet: Manta Rays primarily feed on plankton and small fish.
Habitat: Manta Rays are usually found in Island groups, Reefs, and atolls in the Atlantic and the West Caribean Region.
Manta Rays or commonly known as the devil ray, are surprisingly gentle giants. Although they grow up to massive sizes and look extremely intimidating due to their fleshy horn-like appendages on either side of the mouth, they are filter feeders that consume plankton and small fishes. They, interestingly, swim in somersaults to move through a cluster of plankton.
Fun fact: The spots on their underbelly are like fingerprints and they can be individually identified.
Beluga Whale
Size: Beluga Whales weigh 1100-2500 lbs and are 11-15 feet in length.
Diet: They consume over 100 species of marine and freshwater fish, in addition, to crustaceans, shellfish, and even zooplankton.
Habitat: Found up north in the Arctic region, they are commonly seen anywhere from shallow bays to deep offshore waters. They can occasionally be found in estuaries and even upriver as long as there’s some depth.
Beluga Whales are extremely social and move in pods. They hunt together and use echolocation to dodge predators. They also happen to be much smaller compared to other kinds of whales.
Fun fact: Beluga’s are known as sea canaries as they tend to be the most vocal of all whales.
California Sea Lion
Size: Adult California Sea Lions weigh 850 lbs and can get as tall as 7.8 feet.
Diet: Their diet consists of squid, anchovy, rockfish, whiting, and mackerel.
Habitat: Commonly found near shore in the Eastern Pacific region.
California Sea lions are commonly found in large groups and are known to be extremely social. They communicate using growls, barks, clicks, and honks. Their powerful flippers, sleek bodies, and vision help them effectively hunt a variety of prey. They have stiff thick whiskers around their muzzle, that help them detect vibrations & sounds.
Fun fact: California sea lion males tend to live for at least 19 years, while females live up to 25 years.
African Penguins
Size: African Penguins are 18-25 inches in height and weigh 6 to 7 lbs.
Diet: They eat all kinds of Marine species. Most commonly, fish, crustaceans, squid, and polychaete (worms).
Habitat: African Penguins are found in Namibia and nearby 24 islands.
These cute penguins, found in Namibia and Southwestern Africa, are known to hunt exclusively on marine species. Most importantly, they venture out from the shore to hunt. Sometimes even as far as 9-10 miles. After giving birth, African Penguin parents will feed their child for almost 3 months.
Fun fact: African penguins are monogamous and mate with the same partner till death.
Bottlenose Dolphin
Size: An adult Bottlenose Dolphin can weigh between 485 – 595 lbs. and can be 7.2 – 8.9 feet in length.
Diet: Dolphins do not chew. So, they usually eat only small fish, crustaceans, small rays, and sharks that they can swallow whole.
Habitat: They are commonly found in bays, inlets, rivers, marshes, tidal creeks, and along open ocean beaches throughout the Atlantic region.
Bottlenose Dolphins are usually charcoal or slate grey in color. These animals are highly intelligent and social creatures. They are known to produce a wide range of vocalizations like squeaks, moans, whistles, and trills, which they use to hunt and communicate effectively.
Fun fact: They happen to be acrobats as they can flip (or “breach “) up to five meters out of the water!
American Alligator
Size: Adult male American alligators can reach up to 13-14.7 feet in length and females reach up to 9.8 feet. Their tail is about one-half the body length.
Diet: They consume almost all types of aquatic and terrestrial prey that come within their hunting range, be it small fish, reptiles like turtles, mammals, birds, and even smaller alligators.
Habitat: They are usually found in freshwater swamps, marshes, rivers, lakes, and even small bodies of water in Southeastern US states.
American Alligators are quite different from their crocodile cousins. They have a broader snout and a top jaw that overlaps the lower jaw. American Alligators practice parental care. The females protect the hatchlings for up to a year.
Fun fact: They are also known to consume fruit.
Georgia Aquarium Animals On Live Cam
If a trip to Georgia Aquarium is not possible in the near future, that's alright. You can watch what the inhabitants at the aquarium are up to in real-time by streaming one of the Georgia Aquarium live cams.
Ocean Voyager Webcam
The crown jewel of the Georgia Aquarium, this exhibit houses the largest fish in the world: Whale Sharks. It is also the home of manta rays and thousands of other types of fish.
Underwater Puffin Webcam
This Georgia Aquarium live cam will show an underwater cave where the puffins constantly swirl around. Watch close as they come out every once in a while.
Gator Crossing Webcam
The Gator Crossing Webcam is situated in the Southern Company River Scout and allows viewers a peek into the life of American Alligators.
Piranha Webcam
The Piranha Webcam also happens to be in the Southern Company River Scout. Viewers can watch the Piranhas 24/7. However, the video is in night vision as they are adapted to dim light.
Southern Sea Otter Webcam
This webcam can give you a peek into the daily life of the cute otters located in the cold water quest region of the Aquarium. If you’re lucky you can even catch the otters playing with each other.
Jelly Webcam
If you want to watch vibrant jellyfish move in a soothing manner, then this is the perfect webcam. These jellyfishes are located in the Tropical Diver exhibit and are definitely worth viewing.
African Penguin Webcam
You can watch these cute little creatures bump into each other from the comfort of your own home. The African Penguin Webcam will give you a glimpse of how these penguins behave in the Cold Water Exhibit.
Beluga Whale Webcam
If you keep your eyes glued to the screen you’ll be able to find a pod of Beluga Whales swimming around and going to the surface to breathe air. It’s definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Indo-Pacific Barrier Webcam
Other than various colorful reef fish, and garden eels swimming amidst the beautiful coral reefs and underwater plants.
California Sea Lion Webcam
By turning on the volume on this live stream, you’ll be able to hear these majestic sea creatures communicate with each other.
Plan A Visit to Georgia Aquarium
Opening Hours
Getting There
- Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 9 PM
- Saturday: 8 AM - 9 PM
- Sunday: 9 AM - 9 PM
Georgia Aquarium is open on all 365 days.
Georgia Aquarium Opening Hours
225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, United States
The Georgia Aquarium is located in downtown Atlanta, within a walking distance from the World of Coco-Cola. You can get to Georgia Aquarium via bus, train or by car. They offer parking facilities as well.
Getting to Georgia AquariumAll Your Questions Answered About Georgia Aquarium Animals
Q. How many animals reside at the Georgia Aquarium?
A. There are approximately 1,00,000 animals belonging to hundreds of species at the Georgia Aquarium. All of these animals can be found in the aquarium’s eight galleries.
Q. How many different species of aquatic life can be found at Georgia Aquarium?
A. There are hundreds of species of animals at the Georgia Aquarium. Notable animals include beluga whales, whale sharks, sea lions, bottlenose dolphins, and manta rays.
Q. How many kinds of Shark & Rays can be found at Georgia Aquarium?
A. There are nine species of sharks at the Georgia Aquarium and 13 varities of Rays, of which the Manta Rays are the most popular.
Q. Are there birds at Georgia Aquarium?
A. The Georgia Aquarium recently opened a sea-birds exhibit that features horned & tufted puffins, pigeon guillemots, and common murres. So, technically yes, there are birds at the Georgia Aquarium.
Q. What are the different types of amphibians at Georgia Aquarium?
A. The Georgia Aquarium is the home to several frogs like the Wood Frog and the vibrant sky-blue poison dart frog.
Q. Does Georgia Aquarium house reptiles?
A. Yes, the Georgia Aquarium is home to 15 types of reptiles. You can find various types of turtles and tortoises, alligators, boas, and lizards.
Q. Are dolphins the only mammals at the Georgia Aquarium?
A. Other than Bottlenose dolphins, Georgia Aquarium houses various kinds of mammals like whales, otters, seals, and sea lions.
Q. Which Invertebrates can you view through the Georgia Aquarium live cam?
A. Although there are almost 34 species of Invertebrates, the Georgia Aquarium only allows viewers to watch the jellyfishes via live cam.