Skip to Content
The Florida Aquarium Home

Giving Animals Some Extra Love at The Florida Aquarium This Valentine’s Day

Sloth eating heart shaped strawberry at the Florida Aquarium

February 14, 2025

Share Story

Share

Tampa, FL (February 14, 2025) – Love is in the air at The Florida Aquarium! This Valentine’s Day, the Aquarium’s Animal Care team is celebrating the holiday with specially crafted enrichment activities. From festive treats to engaging toys, these thoughtful additions provide essential mental and physical stimulation for the animals, while creating a unique experience for guests to enjoy.

>> CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD VIDEO & PHOTOS

OF THE ANIMALS EXPLORING THEIR VALENTINE’S DAY TREATS <<

Courtesy: The Florida Aquarium

The Aquarium’s Animal Ambassador team prepared heartwarming surprises, including heart-shaped strawberries and ice treats in vibrant colors infused with favorite snacks like fish and mice frozen inside.

North American River Otters: Huron, Kraken, and Brandon received ice treats providing an opportunity to forage for their food in a different way, plus Valentine’s-themed hula hoops encourage activity.

Ring-tailed Lemurs: Lulu and the lemur troop explored a new feeding challenge—strawberries on skewers, prompting problem-solving skills and natural foraging behaviors.

Radiated Tortoise: Night, the tortoise, got a rare serving of strawberries—a delight since tortoises are typically offered fruit only once a week.

Linnaeus’s Two-toed Sloth: Liana and Apaporis were introduced to a novel taste experience with strawberries, enriching their diets with an uncommon food item.

Southern Tamandua: Cayenne, the tamandua (tuh-man-dew-uh), engaged in a unique dining challenge. Since he primarily laps up liquids and tiny insects with his tongue, receiving whole food items required him to use his nails to shred and eat his treat.

These specialized enrichment activities are part of The Florida Aquarium’s ongoing commitment to animal care and welfare. Guests can learn more about upcoming events and plan their visit at flaquarium.org.

|

The Latest from The Florida Aquarium

  • Sloth on a perch while two female employees talk to guests with Sea to Shining Sea banner in the background

    July 3, 2026

    The Florida Aquarium Offers a Cool, Dry Destination for the Fourth of July Weekend

    TAMPA, FL – Rain may change outdoor Fourth of July plans across Tampa Bay, but families can still celebrate Independence Day indoors at The Florida Aquarium, where the Sea to Shining Sea celebration continues through Sunday with patriotic entertainment, animal encounters, and the debut of two new ambassador skunks. New video from Friday’s festivities shows…

    Read More
  • Ginger and Juniper, two skunks eating 4th of July ice treat at The Florida Aquarium

    July 1, 2026

    Meet Ginger and Juniper: The Florida Aquarium’s New Ambassador Skunks Debut During All-American Weekend

    TAMPA, FL  – Just in time for Independence Day weekend, The Florida Aquarium is introducing its newest animal ambassadors: Ginger and Juniper, two curious striped skunk sisters making their debut during the Aquarium’s “Sea to Shining Sea” All-American Weekend celebration July 3–5. These sisters bring their skunk smarts and playful personalities to the Aquarium’s animal…

    Read More
  • Two female employees from The Florida Aquarium's Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center release green sea turtle "Purple" back to the Gulf

    June 27, 2026

    The Florida Aquarium Returns Rehabilitated Green Sea Turtle to the Gulf

    ANNA MARIA ISLAND, FL – A juvenile green sea turtle named Purple returned to the Gulf on Friday after months of rehabilitation at The Florida Aquarium following a cold-stunning event. **CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD VIDEO, SOUND, AND PHOTOS OF PURPLE** Courtesy: The Florida Aquarium Purple was transferred to The Florida Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center…

    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.