Birch Aquarium
@birchaquarium.bsky.social
🐟 The o-fish-ial account of Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego
bet you didn’t know the inside of a penguins mouth LOOKS LIKE THIS 🐧
Little Blue Penguins have rows of serrated spines on the inside of their mouth that help them grip slippery prey and swallow it whole! These bristles are made of keratin, the same protein found in your hair and nails. 💅
Little Blue Penguins have rows of serrated spines on the inside of their mouth that help them grip slippery prey and swallow it whole! These bristles are made of keratin, the same protein found in your hair and nails. 💅
December 4, 2025 at 10:09 PM
bet you didn’t know the inside of a penguins mouth LOOKS LIKE THIS 🐧
Little Blue Penguins have rows of serrated spines on the inside of their mouth that help them grip slippery prey and swallow it whole! These bristles are made of keratin, the same protein found in your hair and nails. 💅
Little Blue Penguins have rows of serrated spines on the inside of their mouth that help them grip slippery prey and swallow it whole! These bristles are made of keratin, the same protein found in your hair and nails. 💅
Enrichment is a key part of how we care for our sharks and rays at Birch Aquarium!
From puzzle feeders that encourage natural foraging behaviors to rearranging rocks and other features that challenge how they navigate their environment, enrichment helps keep them healthy and thriving.
From puzzle feeders that encourage natural foraging behaviors to rearranging rocks and other features that challenge how they navigate their environment, enrichment helps keep them healthy and thriving.
December 3, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Enrichment is a key part of how we care for our sharks and rays at Birch Aquarium!
From puzzle feeders that encourage natural foraging behaviors to rearranging rocks and other features that challenge how they navigate their environment, enrichment helps keep them healthy and thriving.
From puzzle feeders that encourage natural foraging behaviors to rearranging rocks and other features that challenge how they navigate their environment, enrichment helps keep them healthy and thriving.
Looking for a fun way to spend the weekend with family and friends? Come say shell-o to our lovely Loggerhead Sea Turtle and make some unforgettable memories!
November 28, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Looking for a fun way to spend the weekend with family and friends? Come say shell-o to our lovely Loggerhead Sea Turtle and make some unforgettable memories!
Birch Aquarium is closed today for the holiday so our social media manager is out of office. Instead of our normal content, please enjoy some staff doodles of our favorite animals. We tried our best. 🐟
November 27, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Birch Aquarium is closed today for the holiday so our social media manager is out of office. Instead of our normal content, please enjoy some staff doodles of our favorite animals. We tried our best. 🐟
🎉 Meditation Ocean: Aquarius Reef Base is NOW OPEN at Birch Aquarium! Inspired by the only undersea research habitat, this immersive exhibition blends meditation and marine science, inviting you on a serene journey.
Explore: https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/exhibits/meditation-ocean-aquarius-reef-base
Explore: https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/exhibits/meditation-ocean-aquarius-reef-base
November 20, 2025 at 6:50 PM
🎉 Meditation Ocean: Aquarius Reef Base is NOW OPEN at Birch Aquarium! Inspired by the only undersea research habitat, this immersive exhibition blends meditation and marine science, inviting you on a serene journey.
Explore: https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/exhibits/meditation-ocean-aquarius-reef-base
Explore: https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/exhibits/meditation-ocean-aquarius-reef-base
how your email finds us on a Friday afternoon ...
November 14, 2025 at 9:52 PM
how your email finds us on a Friday afternoon ...
Ever seen baby seahorses up close? Curious what it takes to care for these one-of-a-kind creatures? Book a Behind-the-Scenes Seahorse Tour and find out ⬇️
https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/events/behind-scenes-seahorse
https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/events/behind-scenes-seahorse
November 14, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Ever seen baby seahorses up close? Curious what it takes to care for these one-of-a-kind creatures? Book a Behind-the-Scenes Seahorse Tour and find out ⬇️
https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/events/behind-scenes-seahorse
https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/events/behind-scenes-seahorse
✨ with friends like these, who needs anemones?! ✨
Just beneath the surface lies a vibrant world teeming with life, from sea anemones to sea stars and so much more! Discover the wonder of these incredible creatures and explore the habitats they call home in Living Seas.
Just beneath the surface lies a vibrant world teeming with life, from sea anemones to sea stars and so much more! Discover the wonder of these incredible creatures and explore the habitats they call home in Living Seas.
November 12, 2025 at 5:08 PM
✨ with friends like these, who needs anemones?! ✨
Just beneath the surface lies a vibrant world teeming with life, from sea anemones to sea stars and so much more! Discover the wonder of these incredible creatures and explore the habitats they call home in Living Seas.
Just beneath the surface lies a vibrant world teeming with life, from sea anemones to sea stars and so much more! Discover the wonder of these incredible creatures and explore the habitats they call home in Living Seas.
hidden gem of the mangroves 💎🦎
Emerald Tree Skinks are dazzling lime-green #lizards that are just as speedy as they are striking! They effortlessly zip through branches and expertly navigate the mangrove roots. Spot these #skinks hiding in the Mangrove Roots in Living Seas
Emerald Tree Skinks are dazzling lime-green #lizards that are just as speedy as they are striking! They effortlessly zip through branches and expertly navigate the mangrove roots. Spot these #skinks hiding in the Mangrove Roots in Living Seas
November 5, 2025 at 4:10 PM
🪼 Happy #WorldJellyfishDay! 🪼 From stunning Sea Nettles to magical Moon Jellies, an entire world of mesmerizing jellies awaits you in #LivingSeas at Birch Aquarium.
November 3, 2025 at 7:25 PM
🪼 Happy #WorldJellyfishDay! 🪼 From stunning Sea Nettles to magical Moon Jellies, an entire world of mesmerizing jellies awaits you in #LivingSeas at Birch Aquarium.
A biiiiig stretch for a big octopus 🐙 Think you’re flexible?! The #GiantPacificOctopus can squeeze through any opening just wide enough for its beak, about the size of a walnut!
November 1, 2025 at 6:46 PM
A biiiiig stretch for a big octopus 🐙 Think you’re flexible?! The #GiantPacificOctopus can squeeze through any opening just wide enough for its beak, about the size of a walnut!
Happy Halloween! 🎃 Please note that Birch Aquarium will be closing early today at 3 p.m. so our team can enjoy some tricks and treats with family and friends 👻
October 31, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Happy Halloween! 🎃 Please note that Birch Aquarium will be closing early today at 3 p.m. so our team can enjoy some tricks and treats with family and friends 👻
📣 Last chance to dive into Embodied Pacific: Ocean Unseen! 🌊 This weekend is your final opportunity to experience this stunning exhibition before it closes to make room for our next adventure — Meditation Ocean: Aquarius Reef Base, opening Nov. 20, 2025.
📷: Long Truong
📷: Long Truong
October 29, 2025 at 4:05 PM
📣 Last chance to dive into Embodied Pacific: Ocean Unseen! 🌊 This weekend is your final opportunity to experience this stunning exhibition before it closes to make room for our next adventure — Meditation Ocean: Aquarius Reef Base, opening Nov. 20, 2025.
📷: Long Truong
📷: Long Truong
🪸 what’s a zombie's favorite type of coral? drop your guess below … if you dare! ⬇️
October 28, 2025 at 3:48 PM
🪸 what’s a zombie's favorite type of coral? drop your guess below … if you dare! ⬇️
Gourd vibes only this #NationalPumpkinDay! 🎃
October 26, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Gourd vibes only this #NationalPumpkinDay! 🎃
🎃 gourd-geous 🎃
October 16, 2025 at 8:38 PM
🎃 gourd-geous 🎃
the cutest pumpkin patch we’ve ever seen 🎃🥰
in case you were wondering … #LittleBluePenguins are so little that they do in fact fit inside of a #pumpkin
#penguin
in case you were wondering … #LittleBluePenguins are so little that they do in fact fit inside of a #pumpkin
#penguin
October 15, 2025 at 6:21 PM
the cutest pumpkin patch we’ve ever seen 🎃🥰
in case you were wondering … #LittleBluePenguins are so little that they do in fact fit inside of a #pumpkin
#penguin
in case you were wondering … #LittleBluePenguins are so little that they do in fact fit inside of a #pumpkin
#penguin
Pumpkin spice who? Real fans know PSL = Pacific Spiny Lumpsucker 🐡
These tiny, ping-pong–sized fish are covered in spines and sport a special “sucker” on their underside that helps them cling to rocks and other surfaces. Spot these little cuties in the Pacific Northwest section of Living Seas!
These tiny, ping-pong–sized fish are covered in spines and sport a special “sucker” on their underside that helps them cling to rocks and other surfaces. Spot these little cuties in the Pacific Northwest section of Living Seas!
October 15, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Pumpkin spice who? Real fans know PSL = Pacific Spiny Lumpsucker 🐡
These tiny, ping-pong–sized fish are covered in spines and sport a special “sucker” on their underside that helps them cling to rocks and other surfaces. Spot these little cuties in the Pacific Northwest section of Living Seas!
These tiny, ping-pong–sized fish are covered in spines and sport a special “sucker” on their underside that helps them cling to rocks and other surfaces. Spot these little cuties in the Pacific Northwest section of Living Seas!
Our hearts are full and our beaches are cleaner! 💙 Last month, #BirchAquarium members joined our Coastal Cleanup with I Love a Clean San Diego, removing 10 lbs of trash and 1 lb of recyclables. Thank you to our amazing members and team for supporting ocean conservation!
October 14, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Our hearts are full and our beaches are cleaner! 💙 Last month, #BirchAquarium members joined our Coastal Cleanup with I Love a Clean San Diego, removing 10 lbs of trash and 1 lb of recyclables. Thank you to our amazing members and team for supporting ocean conservation!
🐠 Kids go FREE at #BirchAquarium this October! 🎉 All month long, enjoy one FREE child ticket (ages 12 & under) with the purchase of one full-price adult ticket!
🎟️ Reserve your Kids Free October ticket in the link below ⬇️ https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/events/kids-free-october
🎟️ Reserve your Kids Free October ticket in the link below ⬇️ https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/events/kids-free-october
October 10, 2025 at 6:51 PM
🐠 Kids go FREE at #BirchAquarium this October! 🎉 All month long, enjoy one FREE child ticket (ages 12 & under) with the purchase of one full-price adult ticket!
🎟️ Reserve your Kids Free October ticket in the link below ⬇️ https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/events/kids-free-october
🎟️ Reserve your Kids Free October ticket in the link below ⬇️ https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/events/kids-free-october
Just in time for #WorldOctopusDay — baby Red Octopuses! 🐙 These California natives are growing behind the scenes at #BirchAquarium. Discover more about this exciting and historic milestone below ⬇️
https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/newsroom/birch-aquarium-celebrates-world-octopus-day-red-octopus-hatchlings
https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/newsroom/birch-aquarium-celebrates-world-octopus-day-red-octopus-hatchlings
October 8, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Just in time for #WorldOctopusDay — baby Red Octopuses! 🐙 These California natives are growing behind the scenes at #BirchAquarium. Discover more about this exciting and historic milestone below ⬇️
https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/newsroom/birch-aquarium-celebrates-world-octopus-day-red-octopus-hatchlings
https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/newsroom/birch-aquarium-celebrates-world-octopus-day-red-octopus-hatchlings
🧡The Life of a Show-gill 🐟
Guess you could say we’ve got a few fish in their orange era …
🧡 Garibaldi
🧡 Lionfish
🧡 Harlequin Tuskfish
Guess you could say we’ve got a few fish in their orange era …
🧡 Garibaldi
🧡 Lionfish
🧡 Harlequin Tuskfish
October 3, 2025 at 4:11 PM
🧡The Life of a Show-gill 🐟
Guess you could say we’ve got a few fish in their orange era …
🧡 Garibaldi
🧡 Lionfish
🧡 Harlequin Tuskfish
Guess you could say we’ve got a few fish in their orange era …
🧡 Garibaldi
🧡 Lionfish
🧡 Harlequin Tuskfish
💀 A skele-ton of fun is waiting under the sea 💀
A bone-afide new friend is making waves in our Giant Kelp Forest … come sea for yourself!
A bone-afide new friend is making waves in our Giant Kelp Forest … come sea for yourself!
October 1, 2025 at 5:13 PM
💀 A skele-ton of fun is waiting under the sea 💀
A bone-afide new friend is making waves in our Giant Kelp Forest … come sea for yourself!
A bone-afide new friend is making waves in our Giant Kelp Forest … come sea for yourself!
When you go to open your phone camera and it's in selfie mode …
#HornSharks use their sharp front teeth to grasp prey and back molar-like teeth to crush the exoskeletons, spines and shells of their meal!
#HornSharks use their sharp front teeth to grasp prey and back molar-like teeth to crush the exoskeletons, spines and shells of their meal!
September 29, 2025 at 8:36 PM
When you go to open your phone camera and it's in selfie mode …
#HornSharks use their sharp front teeth to grasp prey and back molar-like teeth to crush the exoskeletons, spines and shells of their meal!
#HornSharks use their sharp front teeth to grasp prey and back molar-like teeth to crush the exoskeletons, spines and shells of their meal!
🤖Get Ready for RoboBattles!💥
Design and build your own LEGO® robot and battle it out in head-to-head challenges at #BirchAquarium. Plus, discover how robots help Scripps scientists explore our oceans! Made possible by the Grant Imahara STEAM Foundation.
https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/events/robobattle
Design and build your own LEGO® robot and battle it out in head-to-head challenges at #BirchAquarium. Plus, discover how robots help Scripps scientists explore our oceans! Made possible by the Grant Imahara STEAM Foundation.
https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/events/robobattle
September 29, 2025 at 6:01 PM
🤖Get Ready for RoboBattles!💥
Design and build your own LEGO® robot and battle it out in head-to-head challenges at #BirchAquarium. Plus, discover how robots help Scripps scientists explore our oceans! Made possible by the Grant Imahara STEAM Foundation.
https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/events/robobattle
Design and build your own LEGO® robot and battle it out in head-to-head challenges at #BirchAquarium. Plus, discover how robots help Scripps scientists explore our oceans! Made possible by the Grant Imahara STEAM Foundation.
https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/events/robobattle