The Florida Aquarium has collaborated with Tampa Electric Co. to open a new stingray touch experience at the Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach. 

  • Florida Aquarium, Teco open 'Stingray Touch Experience' in Apollo Beach
  • The Tampa Bay Rays' stingrays were moved to the Manatee Viewing Center
  • Visitors get to pet the cownose and southern rays

They’re on the same team, but their beloved stingrays give the Tampa Bay Rays some serious competition when fans flock to Tropicana Field.  

"There is always a line going way down the stairs during every single game, people absolutely love them," The Florida Aquarium’s Director of Husbandry Mike Terrell said.

Now, you no longer have to wait until opening day to see the famous Rays. Thanks to some help from staff at the Florida Aquarium, the sting rays have migrated to Apollo Beach for the winter to join their friends at TECO’s Manatee Viewing Center.

Teco has opened a “Stingray Touch Experience” where visitors can actually pet the cownose and southern rays along with horseshoe crabs.

Terrell said moving the rays wasn’t an easy task but the end result has been a home run.

"They each had their own transport of water on wheels, we put each ray in, took them downstairs and put them in the truck where there were 2-300 gallon tanks," Terrell said.

"If you look around you can see that it can be done right next to a power plant, this beautiful nature facility, they can live hand in hand if we protect our environment then it'll be around for a long time for our kids and their kids to enjoy and if you don't there won't be anything left," Environmental Technician Jamie Woodlee said.

The manatee viewing center and stingray touch experience is open 7 days a week through April, 15th.