Otters at Play North American river otters live and play in their own two-story, indoor/outdoor habitat, complete with swimming pool and waterfall. The otters’ playful world can be viewed underwater on the first floor or from above from the second floor. As they are being entertained by these semi-aquatic mammals, students will learn about the challenges faced by Florida’s native animals from human encroachment, invasive species, and other predators. They will also learn that otters are very vocal and communicate with one another using a large variety of calls such as whistles, buzzes, twitters, staccato chuckles and chirps. From their whiskers to their webbed feet, our family of river otters educate students about what it takes to keep ecosystems vibrant and healthy. 2 Hop on board our 20-person airboat and take a ride through one of our most cherished national parks, the Florida Everglades, without ever leaving the Museum! Experience the twists, turns and stops of a simulated airboat ride as you and the other passengers learn about the water, weather, plants and animals that call these wetlands home. An immersive film experience, created by award-winning IMAX® cinematographer James Neihouse, allows riders to get a real sense of the Everglades ecosystem in amazing detail. Prehistoric Florida Step into the mouth of a giant megalodon, an extinct species of shark that lived many millions of years ago, and live to tell the tale. Go 65 million years back in time and get a new perspective on Florida’s prehistoric past and how it was shaped by climate change and changes in sea levels. Become a fossil hunter and dig for fossilized shark teeth and an archelon, the largest turtle that ever existed. Get close to a confrontation between a saber-toothed cat and an Imperial Mammoth and learn how they came to live in ancient Florida. Learn why evidence of human habitation has been found far out in the Gulf of Mexico. Discover how melting glaciers affect sea level rise. Dig through time in simulations that illustrate the amazing diversity of geology, flora and fauna that have populated Florida through eons of time. Everglades Airboat Adventure First Floor Exhibits