The Rainforest - Lakes AquariumAt the Seashore Lakes Aquarium | Visitor Guide Wrasse are one of only a few species that are able to change sex during their life. Size: 65cm. Location:

The Rainforest

The Americas

Asia

The EnglishLake District

Shop

At theSeashore

At theSeashore

StairsLift Lift

A re-createdjourney below

Lake Windermere

Exit

OverLakeTank

VirtualDive Bell

Africa

Entr

ance

Cont

inue

this

way

Stairs to1st floor

Stairs toground floor

Mirror carp

Sterlet

Tufted duck

Ballan wrasse RaySeahorse

Lakes Aquarium – Finding your way around

Lakes Aquarium | Visitor Guide

Ground floor

The Rainforest

The Americas

Asia

The EnglishLake District

Shop

At theSeashore

At theSeashore

StairsLift Lift

A re-createdjourney below

Lake Windermere

Exit

OverLakeTank

VirtualDive Bell

Africa

Entr

ance

Cont

inue

this

way

Stairs to1st floor

Stairs toground floor

Asian short-clawed otter

Brown trout Roach Harvest mice

Piranha

Goliath spider

Pacu

Pygmy marmoset

Blind cave fish

Red-eyed tree frog

First floor

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Your guide to theLakes AquariumExplore the lakes of the world and discover some incredible creatures – from otters in Asia, piranhas in the Americas and cheeky marmosets in the Rainforest.

Not forgetting all your favourite creatures that live a bit closer to home, including diving ducks in the spectacular underwater tunnel, as well as seahorses and rays at the seashore.

Remember to pay a visit to the world’s first Virtual Dive Bell. Experience a spectacular interactive adventure and come face to face with awesome virtual creatures including a terrifying shark, charging hippo and fierce crocodile – without getting wet!

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Contents12-3

8-9

18

4-5

14-15

10-11

19

6-7

16-17

12-13

20-21

Finding your way around – quick reference map

Your guide to the Lakes Aquarium

The English Lake District

Asia

The Americas

The Rainforest

Virtual Dive Bell

Under Lake Windermere

At the Seashore

Day in the life of an Aquarist

Your questions answered

Destination Lakeside

The English Lake District


When brown trout are ready to spawn, they migrate upstream, often leaping up waterfalls and rapids.

Key characteristic: Streamlined body, adapted to fast flowing water. Diet: Small fish and invertebrates.

Roach

Not native to Windermere, roach have been introduced by pike anglers who once used them as live bait.

Population: There are more roach than any other species of fish in Windermere. Size: Up to 1.9kg.

Brown trout

The only rodent in the British Isles to have a prehensile tail.

Life span: 18 months. Size: Smallest rodent in the British Isles – only weighing the same as a 2 pence piece.

Harvest mice

The English Lake District is one of the British Isles’ most awe inspiring and breathtaking landscapes. Designated as a National Park in 1951, the Lake District

is a relatively un-spoilt oasis for wildlife. The lakes and fells of the area, and a varied temperate climate, offer a lush environment for a range of fascinating and intriguing creatures.

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Oscar says: Bassenthwaite is

the only official lake in the Lake District, the rest are ‘waters’

or ‘meres’.

What is ‘temperate’?

Temperate describes geographical

areas with weather that is neither

too hot, too cold, nor too wet or

too dry. Temperate areas include

most of Europe, North America

and Southern Australia.

Water voles Once a common sight, water voles in the Lake District are now facing extinction, largely due to loss of habitat and the accidental release of larger predators into the wild.

What can you do to help? Help us to monitor the wild population by taking part in the Cumbrian Water Vole Project. For more details and further information on how you can help, see www.watervole.org

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Oscar says: An otter’s house is called a holt.

AsiaAsia spans nearly half the Northern hemisphere, with the world’s highest mountain range supplying

water to the most urbanised river systems on Earth. Some of the world’s rarest creatures cling to what survives of these declining aquatic ecosystems.

At home in India and South East Asia is the Asian short-clawed otter. Curious and mischievous by nature, these otters live in a variety of diverse habitats from mangrove swamps to small streams and marsh land. As the smallest of the otter species, adults rarely exceed 90cm in length, from nose to tail.

• Otters are part of the mustalid family, which also includes weasels, ferrets and wolverines.

• Asian short-clawed otters are diurnal – meaning that they are active during the day, returning to the security of their holts at night.

• With two layers of fur, otters stay both warm and dry. The lower layer of fur has the effect of insulation, whilst the outer layer has an oily coating which is essentially waterproof.

• They have very dexterous front paws which they use to forage for food in murky swaps or dense foliage.

Asian short-clawed otter

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Otters in danger!There are 13 different species of otter in the

world and several are listed as endangered,

including the sea otter and the giant river

otter. Otters native to England (the Eurasian

otter) are under threat, having experienced a

decline in population during the 20th Century.

What can you do to help?

Various conservation groups have had success

in reintroducing orphan otters, building holts

and improving water ways, however there is

still much work to be done. More information

is available from the Environment Agency

(www.environment-agency.gov.uk)

The Asian short- clawed otter

The AmericasThe Americas are the lands of the Western hemisphere, consisting of the continents of North America

and South America. The Americas are home to the awesome Amazon river which is the world’s largest river – engulfing approximately 40% of South America.

Oscar says: The Amazon is

a very wet place – with nearly 3 metres of rain

per year!

Piranhas are notoriously aggressive feeders, however they only really become ferocious when prey is scarce.

Diet: Small fish, fledgling birds and small mammals. Location: Throughout the Amazon basin.

As eyes have no function in deep, dark caves they develop extra taste buds on their heads making them super sensitive to their environment.

Size: Approximately 5cm.Location: Mexico.

Pacu

Pacu have very human like teeth, evolved for an omnivorous diet.

Diet: Nuts, fruit and occasional fish and invertebrates. Size: Up to 120cm.

Piranha Blind cave fish

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Mangroves

MangrovesMangroves are found in equatorial America; including countries such as Brazil, Mexico and Venezuela. Mangroves are now under serious threat from deforestation and pollution caused by excessive coastal development and the shrimp farming industry.

What can you do to help?Avoid buying pond-raised shrimp or prawns from supermarkets - these are often bred at fish farms created by the destruction of mangroves.

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The RainforestTropical rainforests are a rich and bountiful environment, home to an abundance of life – the total

number of species remains unknown as scientists believe that there may be millions of new species yet to be discovered.

Red-eyed tree frog

When fully grown, goliath spiders can measure up to 30cm across, making them the largest spiders in the world!

Diet: Crickets, moths and mice. Age: Female, up to 25 years, male up to 6 years.

Adept climbers, red-eyed tree frogs have suction cup toes that allow them to hang from the underside of leaves.

Diet: Moths, flies, grasshoppers, and possibly other small frogs. Location: Tropical central America.

Unlike some monkeys, pygmy marmosets’ tails are not prehensile.

Weight: 130g (fully grown). Diet: Spiders, grasshoppers, fruit and tree sap.

Goliath spider Pygmy marmoset

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Oscar says: Rainforests

produce 40% of the Earth’s oxygen

– that’s the stuff we breathe!

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DeforestationIt is believed that within the next 25 years, nearly half of the world’s species of plants, animals and microorganisms will be destroyed or severely threatened due to rainforest deforestation.

What can you do to help?Use forest friendly wood and paper products that are either recycled or use wood sourced from well managed forests, certified by the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council).

Deforestation

Source: www.rain-tree.com

Virtual Dive BellExperience the world’s first Virtual Dive Bell and come face to face with awesome creatures including a terrifying bull shark, charging hippo and fierce Nile crocodile – without getting wet! State of the art technology and realistic CG graphics provide a unique and totally absorbing insight into life in murky waters.

Virtual hippopotamus

Hippos consume around 68kg of grass per night!

Size: Up to 1.5 tonnes. Location: Rivers and lakes in sub-Saharan Africa.

Crocodiles have the strongest bite of any animal – up to 15 times more powerful than a rottweiler.

Location: Sub-Saharan Africa, the Nile basin, and Madagascar.Diet: Fish, zebras, small hippos, porcupines, birds, other crocodiles and humans.

Sharks get new teeth every two weeks and can get through several thousand in a lifetime.

Size: Up to 3m.Diet: Fish, dolphins and even other sharks.

Virtual bull sharkVirtual Nile crocodile

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Oscar says: Don’t miss the

virtual journey – it’s really cool!

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Hippos critically endangeredThe wild hippo population has been in decline for many years, but in 2006 they were added to the UCINs ‘Red List’. Many

believe that this is due to poaching – hippos

are being killed for their long, ivory like teeth.What can you do to help?Many people buy animal-product gifts when

holidaying abroad, usually by mistake – they

don’t realise that they are the genuine article.

Always make sure that you know the origin of

the gifts you are buying.

Endangered hippos

Under Lake Windermere


Unlike common carp, mirror carp have irregular and patchy scales which are almost unique to each individual fish.

Size: Up to 29kg. Location: Throughout the British Isles and Europe.

Sterlet

Sterlets are a type of sturgeon and females lay up to 44,000 eggs at one time!

Life span: 22 years.Size: Up to 125cm.

Mirror carp

A medium sized diving duck, the tufted duck can hold its breath for up to 30 seconds.

Population: 7500 pairs in Britain (summer). Size: Wingspan of 70cm.

Tufted duck

Windermere is Britain’s largest natural lake, a truly picturesque expanse of water flanked by both stunning fells and tranquil woodland. A comparatively

rich environment, many fascinating creatures call Windermere home, from the smallest stickleback to the largest pike, there is a host of wildlife on our doorstep.

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Oscar says: There are 14 islands on Windermere, the biggest is Belle Isle,

near Bowness.

Char

Windermere char

in declineExperts believe that Windermere’s water

temperature has risen by 2°C in the last

70 years, causing a decline in the char

population - who only live in very

cold water.


The ever rising water temperature is

largely due to Global Warming. For more

information on how you can play your part

in combating climate change see

www.greenpeace.org.uk

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The coast around the British Isles is as unique as it is varied, ever changing and stunningly beautiful. Morecambe Bay in Cumbria is no exception - designated as

a Site of Specific Scientific Interest, its dramatic rolling sands are home to a vast population of seabirds and wildfowl.

At the Seashore


Wrasse are one of only a few species that are able to change sex during their life.

Size: 65cm. Location: The Eastern Atlantic, from Norway to Morocco and the Mediterranean Sea.

Seahorse

It is the male seahorse that incubates and gives birth to offspring called fry.

Size: 5-30cm.Location: Sheltered waters from the Thames Estuary to the coral reefs of the Pacific Ocean.

Ballan wrasse

Thornback rays are the most common species of ray in UK waters.

Eats: Crabs, shrimp and small fish. Size: Up to 100cm in length.

Ray

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Oscar says: Morecambe Bay

is the second largest bay in the

British Isles.

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Morecambe Bay Display

Over-fishingMany species of once common fish such as

cod, skate and plaice are now over fished.

Cod stocks are on the verge of commercial

collapse, and common skate is almost

extinct.


Buy fish that are ‘in season’ by avoiding their

spawning months – see www.mcsuk.org

(Marine Conservation Society) for details.

Buy seafood from well-managed fisheries,

that bare the Marine Stewardship Council

label of approval – see www.msc.org for

more information.

A day in the life of a Lakes Aquarium Aquarist


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The term Aquarist is a combination of aquatic and biologist – it is their job to look after all of the creatures and their displays.

First thing

Mid afternoon

Mid morning

Late afternoon early evening

Lunchtime

Overnight

Each display is checked to make sure that the animals are healthy. Tests are then carried out on the water to ensure that it is the right temperature and that salinity, nitrate and nitrite levels are correct.

With a lot of hungry mouths to feed, the Aquarists then start preparing food for all the creatures: fish for the piranhas, salad for the marmosets and squid for marine fish. Vitamins and supplements are added to make sure that the nutritional needs of the animals are met.

All displays are cleaned inside and out. Natural sunlight causes the growth of algae, especially in the tunnel, so an Aquarist’s cleaning jobs are never done!

As part of our programme of environmental enrichment, the Aquarists regularly change the displays. Tasks could include adding new plants or introducing new creatures – every day is different!

The pump and filtration system is very complex and it is vital to check the equipment every day.

The team take it in turns to be on call over night. All life support systems (pumps, filters, chillers and air supply) are alarmed, so if there is an equipment failure, the duty Aquarist will be alerted.

Your questions answered


Where does the water supply come from?

Do the glass windows magnify the fish?

Where do the creatures come from?

Why can’t I put my hand in the tanks?

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Only the windows that curve outwards. Windows that curve inwards (like the tunnel) actually make them appear 25% smaller than in real life!

All of our creatures are sourced responsibly:

From accredited suppliers who have a • Marine Aquarium Council Certificate to show that they use responsible and ethical methods for removing fish from the wild.Donations from people whose pets • have outgrown their domestic tanks.From other aquariums looking to re-• home captive bred creatures.

Because fish don’t like to be touched. Their skin is easily damaged and cosmetic hand products can pollute the water.

Our water supply is taken from Lake Windermere, it is then chilled or heated, filtered through sand and passed through UV filtration, which kills harmful pathogens. The water then circulates around a complex system of pipes and pumps to reach each display. Old water is returned to Windermere, and thanks to our state of the art filtration system, it is returned cleaner than it was when it was taken out!

Destination Lakeside


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Picturesque Lakeside is not just home to Lakes Aquarium, there’s lots more to see and do. So make sure you stay a while and discover what Lakeside has to offer – from boats and trains to food and shopping, there’s something for everyone!

The Quay

A unique retail experience, The Quay offers gifts and treats for all occasions.

Browse for the perfect present or pick up a postcard to send home, then grab a quick coffee from the Café at the Quay. Open all year round, its idyllic quayside location is hard to beat.

Searching for the perfect memento of your day at the Lakes Aquarium? Then see what’s in store at the Aquarium Giftshop.

With specially selected themed gifts, you’ll find souvenirs to suit all ages, tastes and pockets.

Aquarium Giftshop

Situated on the upper floor of the station building, Oscar’s offers both traditional and contemporary food including mouthwatering daily specials, homemade cakes, delicious coffees and refreshing cold drinks.

Oscar’s Restaurant

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Windermere Lake CruisesExplore the Lake District from Lakeside and take a

leisurely cruise to the popular towns of Bowness or

Ambleside. ‘Steamers’ and launches depart regularly

throughout the day and provide travellers with

magnificent views of mountain scenery, secluded

bays and the many wooded islands on Lake Windermere.

Lakeside & Haverthwaite RailwayTake a scenic trip on the Lakeside & Haverthwaite

steam railway, to see more of the Leven Valley

countryside. The beautifully preserved carriages and

engines run along 3.5 breathtaking miles of track to

Haverthwaite (Easter to October).

Haverthwaite station

Useful informationHow to find usWe are situated on the southern shore of Lake Windermere at Lakeside, Newby Bridge. From the M6, junction 36, take the A590 to Newby Bridge - just follow the fish symbols to Lakeside.

Get in touchLakes Aquarium, Lakeside, Newby Bridge, Cumbria LA12 8ASTel: 015395 30153 Fax: 015395 30152

Email: [email protected]

All facilities and displays may be subject to change without prior notice.

Opening timesLakes Aquarium is open daily from 9am to 6pm (5pm in winter) and last admission is 1 hour before closing. Closed Christmas Day. Your ticket is valid all day.

Talks & feeding presentationsTalks and feeding presentations take place throughout the day – see the boards by the front doors for details.

Private hireLakes Aquarium and Oscar’s Restaurant are available for private hire in the evenings – a truly unique venue for celebrations as well as corporate entertainment.

Our dedicated function room, The Lake Room, is available for hire throughout the day and evening. Please contact us for details.

Lakes Aquarium is part of the Parques Reunidos Group.

Design by Rehab. www.visitrehab.com

www.lakesaquarium.co.uk

Family friendly and accessible to allSpecial rates are available for families, birthday parties and pre-booked groups of 10 or more. Under 3’s go free. All displays are wheelchair accessible.

Love Lakes Aquarium?Why not buy an annual pass? Valid for 12 months from purchase, you can come as often as you wish. Contact us for more information.

Find out moreVisit our website for more information, including details on our action–packed schedule of family events in school holidays.Try out our fantastic interactive features; upload your Lakes Aquarium photos, tell us your views, or play games with Oscar the Otter, our adorable mascot.

Documents

The Rainforest - Lakes AquariumAt the Seashore Lakes Aquarium | Visitor Guide Wrasse are one of only a few species that are able to change sex during their life. Size: 65cm. Location: