More than 350 species of Gulf of Mexico marine life are at "home" in a series of ecosystem exhibits, including marsh and shoreline, pier and estuary. Islands of Steel replicates an offshore oil platform surrounded by nurse sharks and amberjack. The Flower Gardens re-create a coral reef 115mi off this coast, blooming with colorful aquatic life and inhabited by moray eels and angelfish. Outdoors are touch tanks of small sharks and stingrays, as well as river otters, sea turtles and a rare white alligator.