Photo courtesy of Jean MacWhirter Bujold
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5Atlantic Salmon Interpretation Center
The Atlantic Salmon Interpretation Center is a unique feature in our museum. It features a large TV for viewing documentaries, a fish aquarium with live baby salmon, and numerous illustrations to help our visitors better appreciate the biology and behaviour of these amazing fish.
For example, did you know that?
- The Atlantic salmon has a keen sense of smell and uses its memories of smells to locate its home river. The sensing organs, called olfactory bulbs, are located in front of each eye.
- Biologists believe that microscopic magnetic granules may play an important role in the Atlantic salmon’s migration, allowing it to sense the Earth’s magnetic field and navigate far from land. Further research is needed to determine whether special structures exist in the nose area, as occurs in rainbow trout.
- Atlantic salmon eyes see in colour, and are remarkably similar to human eyes.
- The salmon’s colours change as their breeding characteristics develop. The male’s colours play a role in attracting mates in its home stream.
- Many salmon from both sides of the Atlantic rendezvous off west Greenland where they feed and grow for one or more years before returning to their native rivers to spawn.
If you are interested in learning more, come join us for one of our guided tours!