Chattanooga's Tennessee Aquarium: Part 2

Our journey through the aquarium took us to the outdoor wetlands and the amphibious and reptile exhibits.

After passing through the seahorses and starfish in the first exhibits, my wife and I rode the escalator to the top of the Tennessee Aquarium's River Journey building. We were met with warm and fairly exotic surroundings of sunlight, lush landscapes, and flowing waters. No more deep seas for the moment...we were about to experience what many tropical and subtropical inhabitants can sometimes see in their own backyards.

The following is what we observed.

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We exited the dark interior of the aquarium into an "exterior" jungle-ish pathway. The warm and more humid air was a marked difference from the cool climate of the aquarium's dark, ocean-exhibit, bottom floors. A few camera adjustments were necessary to capture this wondrous new land.

Wow! What's this? Unconceiveable!

It's some sort of moss-like substance!

We rounded the corner and came upon what appeared to be large river rats. They were very active and apparently didn't realize that we were trying to take their pictures. These river rats wouldn't sit still at all. They must have had ADHD or something.

One of these rats was chewing on what looked like an old crab shell.

Sorry...this was the best I could do. I tried taking lots of photos, but these guys were fast-moving for their size and I was shooting through some rather bright glass. Better luck next time, I guess.

We continued on our way through the fake jungle...

Then we found ourselves indoors again for a brief moment. Apparently, this guy does better in the dark. His camouflage is not very good, in my opinion. The spotlight doesn't help. How does he even catch any food...ever?

Gator tail. The other white meat.

Yum!

Next to "Milky" the gator was a little lonely frog. Look at him, just sitting there all cute and happy and calm...or scared...or indifferent. Do frogs even have emotions?

Back outside once more, we came upon another gator pool. I had to jump into this one to get these photos. Luckily for me, I'm a professional gator rassler and these gators knew not to mess with me.

They were eyeing me though...

"Thlip on into the water and join uth. It'th very thpa-like and peathful."

I had to get under the water for this one. I think I survived - but don't quote me on that.

This next fella' had some kind of problem with me being in the pool with him and the gators. He was a real jerk.

"You talkin' to me? Well I'm the only one swimming here. Who the fudge do you think you're talkin' to?"

I feared for my life, so I got out of the water.

"hai. i am snek."

Even this frog's eyes are camouflaged. Cool blending-in effects, bro.

Back inside once more...

Apparently, turtle shells make excellent pillows. Who knew?

We heard some roaring laughter around a corner and found an amniote stand-up routine in progress.

Oh, no...

Ugh...

Things only became more ridiculous from there. I think this is a good place to stop for now.

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That concludes Part 2 of the Great Tennessee Aquarium Adventure!

Make sure you come back for Part 3, where my wife and I visit a couple of unexpected exhibits with exotic mammals and insects! Can you guess what these crazy creatures might be?

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Image courtesy of @mynameisbrian