Pumpkin Playtime: The Florida Aquarium’s Penguins, Skunks, and Alligators Explore Halloween Treats
October 29, 2026
Share Story
TAMPA, FL (October 29, 2026) – Pumpkins aren’t just for carving at The Florida Aquarium. This Halloween, penguins, alligators, and skunk sisters are getting in on the seasonal fun with pumpkin enrichment designed to encourage natural behaviors and provide mental and physical stimulation.
The Aquarium’s animal care team creates these experiences to engage the animals through new sights, textures, and opportunities to explore, play, and forage.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD NEW VIDEO & PHOTOS OF THE ANIMALS WITH THE PUMPKINS
Courtesy: The Florida Aquarium
🎃 African penguins investigate a pumpkin carved with a rabbit design, topped with anchovies and capelin, two types of fish included in their diet.
🎃 Ginger and Juniper, one-year-old striped skunk sisters, interact with the pumpkins and sample sweet potato, bell pepper, celery, and mealworms.
🎃 American alligators push the pumpkins around in the water with one gator chomping down on the gourd.
Guppyween, Presented by BayCare Kids
Guests can enjoy more fall festivities at The Florida Aquarium, including Guppyween, which runs now through Halloween with trick-or-treating on October 31, plus animal encounters, costumed divers, and a new scavenger hunt throughout the week. Children in costumes receive free admission with a paid adult ticket at the ticket window.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD NEW VIDEO & PHOTOS FROM GUPPYWEEN 2026
For more information about The Florida Aquarium, visit flaquarium.org.
The Latest from The Florida Aquarium
-
October 24, 2026
First Graders Dive into Learning at The Florida Aquarium as Hillsborough Schools Launches Referendum-Funded Field Trips
Hundreds of Students Explored Marine Life Through Taxpayers’ Investment in Learning Beyond the Classroom TAMPA, FL (October 24, 2026) – Nearly 250 first graders from Bryan, Mabry, and Tampa Bay Boulevard Elementary Schools explored Florida’s aquatic ecosystems at The Florida Aquarium on Friday as part of a new Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) initiative providing…
Read More -
October 21, 2026
Trick-or-Treat Under the Deep Boo Sea: Guppyween Returns to The Florida Aquarium
Presented by BayCare Kids, this Halloween family-friendly event also features festive food, animal encounters, and underwater pumpkin carving Tampa, FL (October 21, 2026) – Little ghosts, goblins, pirates and princesses are invited to celebrate Halloween at The Florida Aquarium’s annual Guppyween, returning Oct. 24–31 with trick-or-treating, animal encounters, costumed divers and a new scavenger…
Read More -
October 18, 2026
First Graders Dive into Learning at The Florida Aquarium as Hillsborough Schools Launches Referendum-Funded Field Trips
Students experience marine life firsthand as part of taxpayers’ investment in learning beyond the classroom TAMPA, FL (October 18, 2026) – First graders from Bryan Plant City, Mabry, and Tampa Bay Boulevard Elementary Schools will be among the first Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) students to experience a new opportunity made possible through referendum-funded millage…
Read More
Stay Up to Date
Want to know what’s happening below the surface? Sign up to receive our email newsletter, “The Current”, and dive into the latest news, events, and exhibit updates happening here at the Aquarium.