From graceful glides through the lagoon to gentle curiosity beneath the surface, Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center recently welcomed two remarkable new residents who embody the heart of its mission: inspiring environmental stewardship through education, research, and advocacy.
Located on Hutchinson Island, Florida Oceanographic has long been a place where visitors of all ages can connect with Florida’s coastal ecosystems in meaningful, memorable ways. Now, with the arrival of Sandy the stingray and Cleo the sea turtle, there are even more reasons to slow down, look closer, and fall in love with the marine life that calls our waters home.
Meet Sandy the Stingray: Big, Beautiful, and Resilient
Say hello to Sandy, a female southern stingray who recently joined the Florida Oceanographic family thanks to a generous donation from the Marine Exploration Center in St. Petersburg, Florida. Sandy is hard to miss (and not just because of her size).
Currently measuring nearly 40 inches across and weighing approximately 83 pounds, Sandy is still growing. Southern stingrays can reach up to 79 inches wide and weigh more than 200 pounds as adults! At around 14 years old, Sandy has many years ahead of her to serve as a powerful conservation ambassador.
Visitors may notice that Sandy has a uniquely crooked tail, likely the result of a healed injury or a condition she was born with. Either way, she is happy and healthy, eating well (about six pounds of food per week), and already settling comfortably into her new surroundings…