No BoneZone is especially designed for the younger marine enthusiast, with low tanks and plenty of hands-on opportunities. The main feature is the S.C.U.M. touch tank -- a 600-gallon tank where you can touch Sea stars, Crabs, Urchins, Mollusks (SCUM)and other invertebrates from the world's oceans. A second, 400-gallon tank, "Terrific Pacific," features tropical, Indo-Pacific corals and invertebrates, including giant clams and cleaner shrimp. The corals in this presentation also have a story of their own: They have been either farm-raised or gathered from confiscated, illegal shipments.

Other elements of the new exhibit include: "Ocean Architects," a display featuring shells from around the world and exploring how mollusks create their shells; "Hermits Go House Hunting," a hands-on interactive where kids pretend they are a hermit that's crab hunting for a home (shell) as they crawl into three different size shells to see which fits best; "No Bonz X-rays," actual x-rays that compare vertebrates with invertebrates; "Food Fight," a continuous video illustrating how invertebrates move to find food and to escape enemies; "Wentz Scope," a special microscope from which to view invertebrate mouth parts, sea star tube feet and more, and "Touch, Sort & Listen," a collection of shells for kids to touch, handle and view.

The 152,000-square-foot aquarium tells Florida's unique water story as it follows a drop of water from its underground source to the open sea. Galleries include: The Wetlands, which explores Florida's springs, streams, marshes, rivers and mangrove forests; The Bays and Beaches, through which you can discover sea life along Florida's coast with bonnethead sharks, seahorses, spiny lobsters and a 150-pound grouper; The Coral Reefs, where you plunge 60 feet below the surface into a colorful coral grotto and meet green moray eels, queen angelfish and rainbow parrotfish; and, The Offshore, where you drift along with the currents and explore the mysteries of deep-water life with jellyfish, giant isopods, golden crabs and a 250-pound sea turtle.

Additional highlights of the Florida Aquarium include: Dragons Down Under, a collection of rare sea dragons and seahorses from Australia and beyond; Frights of the Forest, featuring creepy creatures from the world's wet forest habitats; Awes & Jaws, featuring sharks and rays from around the world; a 42-foot-wide panoramic window with more than 1,600 coral reef residents; a 5,000-gallon touch tank to pet live sharks and rays; five live animal encounters daily; free behind-the-scenes tours and dive shows, and face-to-face meetings with otters, spoonbills, gators and snakes.

The Florida Aquarium is located at 701 Channelside Drive in downtown Tampa. Admission prices are $12.95 for adults, $7.95 for children 3-12 years, $11.95 for seniors 50 and over and free to infants under 3. For additional information, call the Aquarium at 813-273-4000.