Thank you for taking the time to send your concerns. We would like to assure you that the needs, comfort and safety of the animal are always taken into account as top priority. Our animal experts monitor all of the animals’ health and wellbeing each day, as well as maintain their diets, environment and medical needs. The habitats that the animals live in are created specifically for them and their comfort and meet (and often, exceed) all space standards, laws, guidelines and requirements of the United States government, and heightened standards of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) of which we are accredited. Please feel free to contact us with any other questions or concerns. Call us at 312-939-2438(9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.) or email us at [email protected]. Thank you!

The stems that you see are model mangrove roots.

Dante, our alligator snapping turtle, is alive and can be found in the Great Lakes gallery as Shedd!

Great question! Ice is more of an interactive treat for the sea otters, rather than a source of hydration because they get all the water they need from their food.