The Florida Aquarium got a special delivery on Monday — which was also World Oceans Day — when a cownose stingray gave birth, and it was caught on camera.
In a video released by the Tampa aquarium, you can hear a crowd cheer as the stingray gives birth to the “pup” after an hour of labor at around 2 p.m. Monday. This the third stingray pup to be born in recent weeks, a Florida Aquarium announcement said.
The pup is named Bimini, and is joined by two other pups Kitts and Nevis.
“All three of the rays are named after the geological regions in which they are found,” a news release said. “Bimini is doing well and will be moved into the stingray nursery with the other two in a few days."
Cownose stingrays can be pregnant for 10-12 months and usually have one to two pups at a time, the announcement said. The aquarium has four more expecting mothers who will likely give birth within the next month.
Cownose rays get their name from their unique forehead, that when observed from above resembles the nose of a cow. They are known to migrate between the west coast of Florida and the Yucatan by the hundreds or thousands, a sight that is popular with divers and photographers.
You can visit the stingray nursery at the aquarium in an area called Stingray Beach.
The aquarium reopened on May 15 with limited capacity to observe guidelines from the CDC. Face masks and reservations are required. Reservations can be secured in 30-minute time slots, and guests can then stay as long as they like.
The aquarium is located at 701 Channelside Drive in Tampa. It is open daily 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission starts at $26.95, $22.95 for children at flaquarium.org. Reserve an arrival time online or by calling (813) 273-4000.