For Holan’s Birthday we went to Sea Life at Crown Center in

Kansas City. Sea Life opened in April 2012 with tanks of fresh

waters of the Missouri River, into the mighty Mississippi River

then out into the warm blue coral strewn waters of the

Caribbean Sea, ending in the deep dark abyss of the Atlantic

Ocean. They have a huge tropical ocean tank with a

walk-through underwater tunnel.

 

2013 03 04 Sea Life Holan

 

2013 03 04 Seaworld Stingray

 

2013 03 04 Sea Life Holan (2)

 

We learned that instead of blood, starfish have a water

vascular system, they pump sea water through its sieve plate,

into its tube feet to extend them. Muscles within the tube

feet retract them. This is why when the starfish always

keep their feet in the water when they reach the top of

the water line.

 

2013 03 04 Sea Life Starfish (2)

 

 

2013 03 04 Sea Life Starfish

 

There is a whole tank of sea animals you can touch and play

with, as Steve is doing here.

 

2013 03 04 Sea Life Steve Touch Tank (2)

 

Steve had a few questions about the tank.

 

2013 03 04 Sea Life Steve Touch Tank Question

 

 

2013 03 04 Sea Life Steve Touch Tank

 

 

2013 03 04 Sea Life Touch Tank

Some of the things we saw were Blacktip and Zebra sharks,

jellyfish, cow nosed rays, a beautiful octopus, seahorses &

Nemo (clown fish). It was a very relaxing time.