Clearwater Marine Aquarium Introduces Two New Dolphins

Are you excited about the two new dolphins Clearwater Marine Aquarium will be introducing this week?

Meet Rosie and Rudy. They are rough-toothed dolphins. They are very similar to bottlenose dolphins, except for the fact that their snouts are narrower.

Have you ever heard of rough-toothed dolphins? They are found in warm, temperate to tropical waters. The rough-toothed dolphins are very social creatures, usually spending time together of groups of ten to twenty. But you'll also come across more solitary types.

They'll even school together with different species of dolphins and even pilot whales and humpback whales.

There was a bit of a ramp up to prepare Rosie and Rudy to appear in big crowds that tour the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Neither of the dolphins can hear. And they both have impaired echolocation. Echolocation is the body system that dolphins use to navigate deep ocean waters.

They took some time getting used to one another before being moved to the big pool together.

But according to Chloe Neighbarger, one of the specialists at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, "they're best friends."

You can visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium website if you'd like to purchase tickets or learn more about the dolphins, Rosie and Rudy.

Plan Your Trip To The Clearwater Marine Aquarium To Visit The Dolphins

If you'd like to plan your visit to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, regular hours are from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. and extended hours are on select dates from 10 A.M. to 7 P.M. If you want to go late in the day, the last entry is 30 minutes before closing time.

A survey of USA Today readers put together a list of the 10 best aquariums in the country. Tampa Bay is host to two of them. Where are they and what do they offer?

In one of USA Today's latest "10Best" lists, the publication wanted readers to make their choice (from a select list). Which is the best (or their favorite) aquarium in the United States.

There were two states that each boasted two spots on the list. One was Florida. The other Tennessee. The two Florida aquariums on the list are each located in the Tampa Bay area. Which two are they?

Located in the Channeside area of downtown Tampa, the Florida Aquarium is right next to Port Tampa.

One of the 10 Best Aquariums in the United States.
(Photo By Andrew M./BBGI)

The Florida Aquarium also rescues animals such as these Kemp's Ridley sea turtles which where released back into the Atlantic Ocean.

If you haven't already, you need to come see the amazing fish and other sea life. The Florida Aquarium is in the middle of a $40-million expansion.

It's a well-deserved honor to be among the best in the nation. Cleawater Marine Aquarium gained worldwide acclaim as the film Dolphin Tale put the facility on the map.

The 2011 film led so many fans from around the world to visit the aquarium to see Winter.

Dolphins, sea turtles, manatees and other wildlife are rescued by MCA

Readers voted Wonders of Wildlife Museum & Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri, as the number one aquarium in the U.S.