is an extraordinary, 2,500-square-foot immersion exhibit with expansive views of Charleston Harbor in the background. This exhibit gives the feeling of kayaking through a salt marsh tidal creek and allows visitors to get a close look at a variety of coastal plants, birds and marine life, including herons, diamondback terrapins and pufferfish. Near the entrance to the Saltmarsh Aviary, animals such as fiddler crabs, rattlesnakes and a red-tailed hawk can also be seen.
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Exhibit Fun Facts
Feature Animal: Barred Owl
A barred owl’s eyes are so big there is no room in its head for eye muscles. To see to the left or right, an owl’s flexible neck allows it to turn its entire head three-quarters of the way around in either direction.
Featured Animal: Burrfish
When scared, these little pufferfish fill with water and their spines harden into a painful defense.
Featured Animal: Fiddler crabs
Male fiddler crabs are like tiny disco dancers. The main purpose of their large claw is to wave it back and forth to impress female fiddler crabs.
Featured Animal: Great Blue Heron
A great blue heron has up to 17 vertebrae in its neck (humans have 7) allowing it to strike quickly on prey in the water.
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