The present disclosure relates to a fiber optic adapter for use with fiber optic connectors. The fiber optic adapter includes a housing having a first axial end portion defining a first adapter port and a second axial end portion defining a second adapter port. The fiber optic adapter further includes a first retaining mechanism that is operably associated with the first axial end portion for retaining a first fiber optic connector in the first adapter port of the fiber optic adapter and a second retaining mechanism that is operably associated with the first axial end portion for retaining the first fiber optic connector in the first adapter port of the fiber optic adapter.