The creatures off our coasts and along the shores are really astounding and beautiful in their variety. Some of them you can see by just by going to the shore. But, it’s in the murkier depths that it’s harder to see the common, but unusual to us, inhabitants of our local waters. Or the tropical fish that migrate up here with the warm Gulf waters, only to live a short while before perishing when the temperature drops.
You can see all of these wonderful creatures up close at the Audubon Society of Rhode Island’s Environmental Education Center at 1401 Hope St. In the Bay and Ocean Tank lurks a 4-foot American eel, a smooth dogfish (species of shark), the brilliant black sea bass, the flounder with its squished face, and the sea robin with its long, spiny dorsal fins that make it look a cousin of the tropical lionfish.
In addition to the tide pool tank (described in much detail in the story on page 1), there are small tanks holding local fish, such as the kingfish, as well as tropical fish caught in local waters in the summer, such as puffers, the red bigeye, and moonfish. The center has a life-sized model of a Right Whale, other displays and trails and a boardwalk to the bay.
This Saturday, Nov. 5, and the first Saturday of each month, there is free admission to the center.
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