Norwalk’s Maritime Aquarium exhibit uncovers ‘mysteries’ hidden in Long Island Sound for 800M years

It highlights modern-day descendants of ancient species that can still be found swimming in Long Island Sound and underwater giants that went extinct with the dinosaurs.  

“We hope you’ll travel back in time with us this summer to uncover mysteries that have been hidden deep in the ocean for millions of years,” Maritime Aquarium President and CEO Jason Patlis said in a statement about the new exhibit.  
 
When Maritime Aquarium visitors enter The Hall of Extinct Ocean Predators, they will spot a 30-foot mosasaur floating above their heads. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to stand in the jaws of a megalodon and see an ichthyosaur fossil from the Jurassic period, according to a statement from the aquarium.   
 
“As guests move through the aquarium, they will discover the species in Long Island Sound’s family lines date back much further than they may have thought,” the aquarium statement said. “From Earth’s earliest life forms to creatures that have adapted to drastically different sizes, the aquarium is full of modern-day descendants of ancient species that guests can touch.”  
 
Young archeologists can put their skills to the test in the Fossil Dig next to the Sea & Discover Zone, where they can unearth fish, horseshoe crab and plesiosaur fossils.  
 
In a related attraction, visitors can see these fossils come to life by purchasing tickets to “Sea Monsters 4-D: A Prehistoric Adventure,” which will take them 82 million years in the past to some of the most dangerous seas in history, and “Dinosaur Safari Adventure,” a thrilling virtual reality experience. 
 
The new exhibit, “Travel Back in Maritime,” will be open through September. To purchase tickets, visit www.maritimeaquarium.org.   
 
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is home to over 7,500 animals of hundreds of species, including seals, sharks, rays, jellies, turtles and meerkats.