I keep seeing that "dragons have landed" at the aquarium, but what does that even mean?!

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

If you have ever been to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, there's a good chance you've at least seen Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, if not visited it for yourself.  The aquarium is a must-visit in the area, because it's truly an immersive experience where you come face-to-face with thousands of different sea creatures.  They recently shared that they've added a dragon exhibit, but dragons aren't real...right?

What's With the New Dragon Exhibit at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies?

Did Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies find sea dragons?  Here is what the description says:

Step into a world where legends breathe, scales shimmer, and ancient tales unfold, not in a storybook, but in a brand-new, real-life exhibit at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies!

Introducing Dragons, a mesmerizing journey that blurs the line between fantasy and nature, inviting guests to discover the animals that inspired the world’s most captivating myths.

While sea dragons (and land dragons) aren't real, some animals have inspired these mythical creatures, and those are the animals you will find on display at the Dragon exhibit.  It's cool!

 Beyond the Pages of a Storybook

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies says that this exhibit will take you beyond the pages of a fantasy book and bring you into the habitats of real-life creatures that are sometimes stranger than fiction.

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A few of the animals you'll be able to see in this brand new exhibit are:

• Kimberley Rock Monitor
• Gila Monster
• Green Crested Basilisk
• Green Tree Python
• Siren
• And much more!

The exhibit is fun, interactive, and immersive, and will teach about all the ways some of our scaly friends inspired the mythical dragon we read about in stories.

See how some of our incredible aquarium creatures have inspired dragon myths around the world.

Discover how the green tree python’s majestic movements echo tales of sky serpents, how the Gila Monster’s fierce reputation parallels stories of fire-breathing beasts, and how the crocodile skink, with its scaly armor, might convince you that dragons still roam the earth.

The exhibit is open now. For more information, check out Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies website, here.