Shedd Aquarium

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Shedd Aquarium Shedd Aquarium connects people to the living world beneath the surface through animals, science and conservation. For Love of Waterkind 🩵
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Our vision is a world thriving with aquatic life—from rockhoppers like Wellington the famous penguin to reef fish and more—sustained by people who love, understand and protect it. We've been sparking compassion, curiosity and conservation for the aquatic animal world since 1930. Every day, guests come eye-to-eye with bluegills and belugas, stingrays and sturgeons, sea stars and sea otters and much more to discover their inner aquatic biologist or underwater explorer—whether that's at Shedd or while visiting us digitally. Our work—animal care, conservation research and educational opportunities for learners of all ages—doesn't stop at our walls. It encompasses the Great Lakes and extends to endangered aquatic animals and ecosystems around the world. Through guests at Shedd, virtual learnings programs, or through local habitat restoration sites locally, we welcome everyone to become a citizen scientist and to take action for animals.

10/08/2026

Today’s moment of zen is brought to you by the giant Pacific octopus.🐙

You could almost say that octopus arms have a mind of their own. Each one is equipped with a minibrain at its base that helps coordinate the arm's complex functions, like feeling, smelling, tasting, hunting and more.

There are about 300 octopus species scattered around the globe, each weird and wonderful in their own way! This , join us in celebrating the diversity, intelligence and beauty of these incredible animals.

What's your favorite thing about octopuses? Let us know in the comments below.⬇️

10/05/2026

Why are the penguins at Shedd losing their feathers?🐧🪶

Don’t worry! This is a totally normal sight during molting season, which happens every fall at Shedd.

Penguin feathers experience a lot of natural wear and tear. Molting season helps them shed their old waterproof feathers and grow a crisp new set all at once!

10/01/2026

20 years of research. 5 new species.🔬🦪

So, what comes next?

Shedd Research Biologist Dr. Kentaro Inoue and research partners across the country spent decades wading through rivers, digging through mud and collecting samples to identify five new hickorynut mussel species.

To celebrate this milestone, we got the chance to see mussel specimens he donated to the Field Museum up close!

Freshwater mussels may spend most of their lives half-buried in the riverbed, but they play a huge role in keeping our waterways healthy by filtering algae and bacteria from our water.

Unfortunately, they're also one of the most endangered groups of animals in North America.

Successful conservation work can start with simply knowing who’s out there. Identifying and naming these five new species helps researchers better assess extinction risk, prioritize conservation actions and guide recovery efforts for the most threatened species in our backyards.

09/29/2026

Three years later, look how far he’s come! 🥹🩵

In 2023, Shedd welcomed a rescued sea otter pup from Alaska. At just 10 pounds, Seldovia was a small otter, but his arrival was the culmination of something much bigger.

His rescue was made possible by members of the Seldovia Village Tribe who found and rescued him, the Alaska SeaLife Center’s rehabilitative work and the dedication of Shedd’s Animal Care team.

Seldovia’s story, and the heroic actions of those who help save him, continue to inspire millions of guests to take action to protect and conserve sea otters in Alaska and beyond.

As we celebrate Seldovia and the raft, it’s important to step up and safeguard what protects them: the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

Recent attempts to weaken the ESA put species like the southern sea otter at risk. Together, we can advocate for their protection! Take action for sea otters at the link in the comments.

09/24/2026

Shedd staff put their own artistic spin on Sea Otter Awareness week 🦦🎨

For Sea Otter Awareness Week, we’re celebrating sea otters and the vital role they play in their ecosystems. So, we asked teams at Shedd to pick up their favorite pen and create their best rendition of a sea otter — here’s the results!

Now it’s your turn, grab a pencil and draw your own sea otter. Plus, tell us which drawing is your favorite in the comments!

09/20/2026

The health of the Chicago River has come a long way. Together, we can help shape where it goes next! 🙌

The river was once used as an industrial dumping ground, but decades of intensive, collaborative work to conserve and protect this ecological gem has turned it around.

Our individual actions can ripple far beyond Chicago’s waterways and create lasting benefits for future generations.

An eco-kayak tour, a day of fishing on the South Branch or a river cleanup might seem like small actions, but each one can deepen our connection to the river and inspire even more people to care for it.

It takes all of us to create a better future. Together, we can conserve this vibrant ecosystem for our communities, local wildlife and the water that connects us.🩵

09/19/2026

What’s a day in the life of a city fish like? 🏙️🐟

Turns out, not too different from ours!

They have favorite places to hang out. They enjoy diverse food sources. Some travel miles upon miles in a single day — just not for a morning commute.

Using a tracking method called acoustic telemetry, Shedd Research Biologist Dr. Austin Happel is studying the movements of around 150 individual fish in the river.

Understanding how fish move through an urban ecosystem can give us important clues about how to protect them in the long run and build a healthier Chicago for us all! 🩵

09/17/2026

What goes into teaching a sea otter a simple hand signal?

Way more than you might think! 🦦

Each enrichment session at Shedd is tailor-made to meet the specific needs and goals of each individual animal. Our teams work closely together to design creative and stimulating enrichment that introduces variety, builds trust and helps reinforce natural behaviors like hunting, foraging, grooming and socializing.

In this training session, Luna’s being challenged to recognize targets and hand signals. Over time, she can use these behaviors to participate in her own medical care, exercise and build trust with her caretakers! 🌙

09/15/2026

The Chicago River is hiding a world of surprises — and we’re inviting you to get an inside look. 👀

There are only a few weekends left to join us for a Kayak for Conservation tour!

Paddle the Chicago River, take in the city skyline from a new perspective and explore this incredible ecosystem right in our backyard — all while spotting wildlife along the way.

Don’t miss your opportunity to experience Chicago on the water. Head to the link in the comments to book your spot!🚣

09/12/2026

There’s still time for one last dance this summer!💃🎶

On Saturday, September 19, send off the season with a thrilling night of Latin music, dancing and aquatic life at Ritmo del Mar.

Summer isn’t summer unless you’ve danced at least one night away — don’t miss your chance to sip, stroll and dance your way through the aquarium during one of Chicago’s most unique nights out!

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1200 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL
60605

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