Sharks are some of the most thrilling and beautiful creatures in the whole world. The biggest fish in the ocean, and terrifying to some, these impressive animals can be found in waters all over the planet.
It’s rare for us land-dwelling humans to be able to appreciate sharks in all their glory. Fortunately, at Blue Planet Aquarium you can see some of the world’s most stunning sharks, getting up close to some amazing sea life via our 70m Aquatunnel.
Our biggest sharks
We’re proud to be the home of one of Europe’s largest collections of big sharks. Meet the species of shark that you could encounter at Blue Reef Aquarium, and see how they measure up in the real world.
4. Zebra shark
Length: 2.5 metres (8.2 feet)
How many minis is that? Just over one and a half zebra sharks equal the length of a mini
Where can you find them in the wild? Throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific region
Fun fact: Zebra sharks are actually hunted by bigger sharks in the wild, including large tiger sharks
3. Blacktip shark
Length: 2.8 metres (9.2 feet)
How many minis is that? That’s just under one and a half blacktip sharks for the length of a mini
Where can you find them in the wild? Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean
Fun fact: Experts believe that most of the shark bites that occur in Florida, USA, can be attributed to the blacktip shark
2. Nurse shark
Length: 3 metres (10.1 feet)
How many minis is that? One mini is the same as one and a third nurse sharks
Where can you find them in the wild? Eastern Atlantic, Western Atlantic, and Eastern Pacific Oceans
Fun fact: Nurse sharks are nocturnal, and spend all day resting on the sea bed in a big pile
1. Sand tiger shark
Length: 3.2 metres (10.5 feet)
How many minis is that? Just under one and a third sand tiger shark is the same as one mini
Where can you find them in the wild? Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans, and in the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas
Fun fact: Sand tiger sharks are the only shark known to surface for air. They store the air in their stomachs, allowing them to float motionless in the water, seeking prey
Record breakers: The world’s largest sharks
Our sharks are pretty big, but they’re not as massive as some of the aquatic giants…
3. Basking shark
Length: 12 metres (40 feet)
How many minis is that? It would take three minis to be as big as a basking shark
Where can you find them in the wild? Temperate waters of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans
Fun fact: The basking shark’s mouth opens to 1 meter (3.2 feet) wide
2. Whale shark
Length: 12.6 metres (41.5 feet)
How many minis is that? To match the whale shark it would take more than three minis
Where can you find them in the wild? All tropical and warm seas around the world
Fun fact: Despite being the largest fish on the planet, whale sharks pose no threat to humans
1. Megalodon!
Length: 18 metres (59 feet)
How many minis is that? A megalodon would have been as long as four and a half minis
Where can you find them in the wild? Everywhere around the world… 3.5 million years ago
Fun fact: The megalodon was the largest predator that ever lived, with fossil evidence suggesting that they preyed on and ate whales
Join us for Supersize Sharks week
We’re celebrating our sharks and all things shark-related during Supersize Sharks week, from Saturday 25 May to Sunday 2 June. Don’t miss out: it’s the perfect time to come and meet our stunning aquatic friends.