The Florida Aquarium in Tampa will host animal meet-and-greets all March long as part of spring break activities. Apaporis, a 10-year-old male sloth, headlines the lineup. Other animal ambassadors who spend most months backstage will join him.
According to Tampa Bay 28.com, Apaporis lives backstage at the downtown Tampa attraction. His job? Animal ambassador. Guests can meet him during March operating hours, and these encounters come with regular admission.
Cayenne, a tamandua, will greet visitors too. So will Salvator, an Asian water monitor lizard. Most of the year, these creatures remain out of sight.
Extended hours are coming. Live music will fill the air. Food specials will tempt hungry guests during the spring break stretch. Families visiting Tampa Bay this month are the main audience.
The aquarium’s website lists ticket prices, driving directions, and other information. No extra fees apply for meeting Apaporis or the other ambassadors — just standard entry.
On top of new animals and experiences, The Florida Aquarium also has some new snacks and treats to try, including a Traditional Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich with shaved rib-eye, cheese sauce, peppers and onions on a warm roll. Then dive into something sweet with the Waves of Wonder Waffle Sundae — hand-dipped waffles topped with sprinkles, gummy sharks, and chocolate-vanilla twist ice cream.
Photo: The Florida Aquarium
Thousands of marine and land animals call this attraction home throughout the year. Spring break is one of the rare occasions when certain backstage residents step into public view.
Apaporis gets pronounced “AH-PAH-POUR-EE.” Guests will have casual encounters with him instead of watching formal presentations.
Downtown Tampa is where the Florida Aquarium sits. Visitors pour in from across the state and farther out. March brings peak spring break season, with thousands of tourists arriving each week.
Animal ambassadors like Apaporis work in education programs or special behind-the-scenes experiences most of the time. Their spring break appearances let more guests see species that don’t show up during typical visits.
The meet-and-greet setup allows visitors to learn while getting close to the animals. Staff members watch over every encounter, keeping guests and animals safe.