You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.
Adopting an Animal is a fun, easy way to support Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.
Adopting an animal is a fun, meaningful and unique gift (yes, even for yourself). Every adoption directly supports the care of our animals. The hardest part is picking the animal you wish to adopt!
Pick from a shark, otter, manatee, penguin, sea turtle, axolotl, octopus, zebra shark, jellyfish, coral, seahorse, hatchling, and clownfish.
Mote’s Adopt an Animal program offers three adoption levels
Our $30 e-adoption is ideal for individuals looking to support our animals quickly! This level includes a personalized digital adoption certificate and a fact card with a photo sent via email as a special thanks from Mote. (Email sent within 48 hours, usually sooner.)
Our $100 level is the perfect gift for a loved one, complete with an adoption kit that includes a plush animal toy, personalized printed adoption certificate, a photo of the animal with a fact sheet, and Adopt an Animal stickers, shipped to either the giver or the recipient.
Our $150 level includes a plush animal toy, personalized adoption certificate, a photo of the animal with a fact sheet, Adopt an Animal stickers, book about Mote founder Dr. Eugenie Clark, a Mote logo reusable bag, and a personalized greeting card with a customizable message (birthday, Christmas, anniversary, etc.) shipped to either the giver or the recipient.
Mote has studied sharks since 1955, when our founder Dr. Eugenie Clark became known as “The Shark Lady.” Sharks play a vital role in healthy ocean ecosystems, and there’s still so much to learn about them. This jaw-some adoption helps support animal care, research, and conservation efforts at Mote.
River otters are playful mammals that thrive in healthy waterways and watersheds. Your adoption helps support animal care, research, and conservation efforts at Mote. It’s the perfect way to show someone how much you otter-ly care.
Our resident Florida manatees help researchers better understand and protect this beloved species. Mote is one of the few facilities in the world conducting voluntary behavioral research with manatees. This adoption supports our resident manatee’s care and research to help protect their wild counterparts.
Our Humboldt penguins at Mote are very playful and are part of a Species Survival Plan that helps protect this vulnerable species. At Mote, they help inspire conservation through education and animal care. Looking to symbolically adopt these amazing creatures? Waddle you waiting for?
Mote’s sea turtle programs focus on research, rehabilitation, and conservation for threatened and endangered species. Your adoption helps support their care while raising awareness for ocean conservation. Shell-ebrate your love for sea turtles today.
Please note: Mote is not affiliated with any other axolotl research or conservation initiatives.
Axolotls can regenerate parts of their body and are critically endangered in the wild. At Mote, they serve as ambassadors that help educate guests about amphibian conservation. Adopt one to show someone you love them a ‘lotl.
Octopuses are incredibly intelligent animals. At Mote, our residents enjoy puzzles, toys, and other enrichment activities. Your adoption helps support their care, enrichment, and ongoing research and education efforts at Mote. This gift is sure to octopi their heart.
Zebra sharks are gentle, bottom-dwelling sharks that disguise themselves in the sand from prey. This species is currently classified as endangered in the wild. Your adoption helps support Mote’s conservation and education mission for these incredible animals. This adoption is a fin-tastic option for an ocean lover.
Mote is home to many mesmerizing species of jellyfish cared for by our dedicated animal team who feed 150-1,500 mouths a day. Your adoption supports their care as well as marine research and conservation efforts. Everyone will definitely be jelly of this gift.
Coral reefs support marine biodiversity, protect coastlines, and keep ocean ecosystems healthy. Your adoption helps Mote scientists restore reefs, breed resilient corals, and research coral diseases. Reefreshingly impactful.
Mote helps support seahorse populations through breeding and conservation efforts that reduce wild collection. These unique fish continue to teach us more about marine ecosystems every day. This adoption is shore to make someone smile.
Your hatchling adoption helps support the rehabilitation and care of vulnerable baby sea turtles. Contributions help provide treatment and prepare hatchlings for release back into the wild. This gift is egg-stra special for the young turtles release.
Clownfish live among sea anemones, forming one of the ocean’s most fascinating partnerships. These colorful reef fish help inspire guests to learn more about marine ecosystems and conservation. This adoption is fin-tastically fun for any ocean lover.
Click on a question below to learn more!
Octopus, Penguin, Sea Turtle, Shark, Seahorse, Manatee, Otter, Jellyfish, Coral, Zebra Shark, Axolotl
When you chose to adopt an animal you are sponsoring the species, not an individual animal. The funds raised through the program are used to care for the thousands of animals that call Mote home.
E-Pal ($30):
Buddy ($100)
Deluxe ($150)
If you purchased the $30 level, you will receive an email containing the adoption certificate and animal fact sheet. This can take 1-3 days.
If you purchased the $100 or $150 level, you will receive your package within 1-2 weeks.
Yes, your donation covers the shipping of your package.
Yes, adopting an animal is a great gift idea for people of all ages! You can even adopt an animal on behalf of a classroom, business or family. Looking for a unique last minute gift idea? Purchase our $30 level!
The adoption fee is a one-time fee.
Unfortunately, for the $100 and $150 plush adoption we are unable to ship outside of the US. We are able to do the $30 e-adoption if the page loads, however, please note that in some countries the adopt IP address is blocked as it is considered a ‘shopping site’. If the page does not load, we are unable to do the e-adoption.
Yes! Just add the first animal to your cart and then you will see a list of additional adoptions you can support!
Please note!! Plush toys are subject to change based on product availability.
Questions? Call Guest Services at (941) 388-6683 or email: guestservices@mote.org
