How Many Teeth Do Sharks Have?

Sharks are known for their impressive set of gnashers, with some species having hundreds or even thousands of teeth. The number of teeth varies among different shark species. It’s worth noting that sharks continuously shed and replace their teeth throughout their lives.

Great White Sharks can have up to 300 teeth at any given time. They have multiple rows of teeth, typically around five, with new teeth developing to replace lost or damaged ones whenever they’re needed.

How Many Rows of Teeth Do Sharks Have?

When it comes to shark teeth, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to how many teeth they have, it is entirely dependent on the species of shark. As mentioned earlier, great white sharks typically have around five rows of teeth. These rows are staggered, with new teeth constantly moving forward to replace older ones. This arrangement ensures that they always have a sharp set of teeth ready to hunt.

Do Basking Sharks Have Teeth?

Basking sharks, in contrast to great whites and many other predatory shark species, have small, hook-like teeth that are quite different from the sharp, serrated teeth of predators. These teeth are not used for capturing prey but are vestigial remnants of their evolutionary history. Basking sharks primarily rely on their gill rakers to filter out plankton and other small organisms from the water.

Can Basking Sharks Close Their Mouths?

While most sharks can close their mouths to some extent, basking sharks (the second-largest shark species) have an interesting adaptation. As basking sharks primarily feed on plankton, they have mouths that are adapted for filter-feeding. Their mouths are designed to remain open as they swim. This allows them to filter tiny organisms from the water – talk about eating on the go!

What Are Shark Teeth Made Of?

Shark teeth are not made of bone, as some might assume, but rather of a hard material called dentin. Dentin is similar in composition to our teeth. It provides the hardness and durability required for a shark’s predatory lifestyle. The outer layer of a shark’s tooth is covered in enamel, which is even harder than dentin and helps maintain the sharpness of the tooth.

How to Identify a Shark’s Tooth

Identifying a shark’s tooth can be an exciting and fascinating endeavour for beachgoers and fossil enthusiasts. Shark teeth come in various shapes and sizes, which can be helpful in identifying the species they belong to. For example, the triangular teeth of a great white shark are distinct from the narrow, pointed teeth of a tiger shark.

The location where you find a shark tooth can also provide clues about the species. For instance, some species of sharks have specific geographic ranges, so finding a particular type of tooth in a specific location can indicate the presence of that shark species.

Are Shark Teeth Black?

When a shark is alive, their teeth can come in several different colours but are usually white in colour. Fossilised shark teeth have often absorbed lots of minerals by the time they’re discovered, meaning they will darken over time.

Shark teeth are not only essential tools for survival but also objects of fascination and discovery for many enthusiasts. Understanding the diversity of shark teeth, their structure, and their functions adds to our appreciation of these incredible marine creatures. Whether you’re combing the beach for shark teeth or simply curious about these apex predators, knowing more about their dental wonders can enhance your connection to the underwater world.

Come and check out our very own species of sharks and see if you can spot their teeth as they swim past! Book your tickets today to get the chance to see some of the world’s most fascinating marine life up close.

There are over 500 species of sharks in our oceans. Split into 8 different groups each with their own behaviours and features. What they all have in common, is that they are cartilaginous fish, which means their skeleton is made from cartilage instead of bone. With so many different sharks to learn about, we’ve picked out some of the most weird and wonderful species to give you a truly unique insight into these awe-inspiring creatures.

Sharks come in all shapes and sizes

When you think of a shark, you likely conjure up a picture of a great white shark, but the truth is that sharks are all different. While it’s true that some whale sharks can grow up to 55ft (almost 17 metres), there are also tiny dwarf lantern sharks that would fit in the palm of your hand.

They live in both deep and shallow waters across the world’s oceans, scientists are still trying to understand how long they live. However, we do know the Greenland shark is capable of living up to 272 years, making it Earth’s longest living vertebrate.

So, you think you know what a shark looks like? Let’s test your knowledge and introduce you to some of the weirdest but wonderful sharks that you should get to know!

Zebra shark

Zebra sharks (Stegostoma tigrinum) aren’t just distinctive, they’re also one of the easiest-going shark species out there! While adult zebra sharks are typically covered in leopard-like spots, they get their name from their juvenile state. Juvenile zebra sharks are a dark brown-black with white stripes, that look just like a zebra. This provides the young sharks with a perfect defence as the stripes look very similar to venomous sea snakes. Fully grown, zebra sharks can measure up to 9ft (2.7m).

This particular species are docile, nocturnal creatures and are typically found in the shallower reefs across the Indo-Pacific region. Unlike some other species, the zebra shark doesn’t have to keep swimming in order to breathe. This means it often spends time resting on the seabed.

Zebra sharks typically eat molluscs and crustaceans, although they will eat some small fish too. They have flexible bodies to squeeze into crevices to find their next meal, and strong, flat teeth to break through the shells.

One of the most fascinating facts about a zebra shark is its ability to experience virgin births. This is where unfertilised eggs develop into embryos, without any help from the male! This is known to happen in other vertebrate species, but it’s rare in more complex animals like sharks.

Frilled shark

The frilled shark (Chlamydoselachus anguineus) looks like something from the time of the dinosaurs, and can easily be mistaken for eels. They get their name from the red frilly edges on its gills. They are a naturally rare species, spending most of its time in the deeper waters far below the surface.

Frilled sharks have clusters of 300 teeth that sit in rows along the jaw, allowing them to bite through squid tentacles, which is their typical meal of choice. Possibly one of the most mysterious species of shark. The frilled shark isn’t thought to be a strong swimmer or have a particularly strong bite and many experts are baffled as to how it has survived for so many years!

They are spread out in different areas of the world, living off the coasts of Japan as well as New Zealand and Tasmania.

Goblin shark

The goblin shark (Mitsukurina owstoni) is very unusual in its appearance, but it’s still an incredibly fascinating species. It is the only surviving member of its family, which gives it the status of a living fossil! Goblin sharks get their name from the mythical goblins that typically appear in Japanese folklore.

Goblin sharks typically live on the bottom of the ocean along a continent’s edge, and can grow up to 12ft long. They have a pinkish colour, but their most distinct physical feature is its long, prominent snout. However, it’s how they capture their prey that is probably the most incredible fact about these animals. Goblin sharks can thrust their jaws out of their mouths a further 3 inches, giving them a unique way of catching their prey!

The goblin shark has been roaming the oceans largely unchanged in its appearance for over 100 million years.

Hammerhead sharks

You will likely already be familiar with the hammerhead shark, but they certainly deserve a place on our list of weird but wonderful sharks! The hammerhead shark (Sphyrnidae) has incredibly wide-set eyes, giving them a mallet or hammer-shaped head. However strange it may look, it means that hammerhead sharks have a much bigger visual range than most other shark species.

What’s more, the hammerhead shark’s wider head means it can spread its sensory organs further, meaning they have increased sensitivity when it comes to hunting for their prey. Their favourite meal of choice is a stingray! They can grow up to 20ft, and are typically found in both temperate and tropical waters across the world. Hammerhead sharks are known to migrate in the summer to seek cooler water.

Cookie cutter sharks

Cookie cutter sharks (Isistius brasiliensis) are the smallest on our list, growing up to around 20 inches. It’s also probably the one that scientists know the least about. It has been spotted in many areas of the world, mostly in tropical to temperate waters.

Shaped like a cigar, the cookie cutter shark lives most of its life in the deeper parts of the water. It doesn’t look like your typical shark – and it doesn’t act like one either! One of the most fascinating features of a cookie cutter shark is its feeding method. This species has a round mouth, with suctorial lips and sharp triangular teeth. They feed off larger animals by suctioning to the side of larger animals and spinning to remove a round chunk of flesh, as if you were using a cookie cutter! With that in mind, the cookie cutter shark is classed as a parasite, as it feeds off animals without killing them.

We bet you didn’t know half of those sharks even existed! The ocean really is a strange place that’s always teaching us new things. Why not come and see our zebra sharks for yourself, as well as a whole host of other fascinating creatures? Check out our visitor info for opening times, tickets and more!

Like all bullhead sharks, they have broad, blunt heads, and crests above the eyes. But they have unique characteristics such as the harness-like markings. Their frontal teeth are sharp, while their back teeth are flat. They have spines at the frontal edge of both of their dorsal fins. They are also endemic to Australia!

Port Jackson sharks use buccal pumping, where they swap between opening and closing their mouths and gills. This means they can sit still whilst sleeping.

Port Jacksons are different to our other species of Sharks. Our Sand Tiger Sharks use ram ventilation and buccal pumping to breathe which means they swim constantly so that oxygen-rich water is continually rammed over their gills.

Though they are usually peaceful and calm, they are capable of a painful bite if they feel threatened. They have cool corkscrew eggs, the mother will bite the egg and screw the egg into some rock or crevices, this is so they don’t wash away.

But be quick…offer ends: Friday 23rd December 2022.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to dive in & submerge yourself in the underwater world that is below our oceans? At Blue Planet Aquarium you can do just that with our diving experiences! Diving into our Ocean Tank you can come face to fin with some of the most incredible species that live in our oceans – 10ft Sand Tiger Sharks, Southern Sting Rays, Moray Eels, Zebra, Bamboo & Black Tip Sharks plus millions of fin-tastic fish!

It is a breath-taking, memorable dive experience that with last a lifetime and makes the perfect Christmas gift.

But, don’t take our word for it, discover what our guests have said about our dive experiences below in the testimonials and video…

Give The Gift Of An Ultimate Shark Dive Experience This Christmas With 20% OFF!

But be quick…offer ends: Friday 23rd December 2022.

There’s an important question, that’s troubled people for a long time, which are better Dinosaurs or Sharks?

In this post we’ll go through some examples of both, to help answer this age-old question. We’ll look at a variety of factors, such as how long have they existed? Which is bigger? The most famous? Which is the weirdest? By the end, hopefully, you will be able to make a decision!

Dinosaurs Vs Sharks Round 1 Weirdest:

Sharks or Dinosaurs, which is weirdest? This one was a toughie. There are some absolutely mind-bending examples for both. We’ve picked out an interesting contender from each camp to go head-to-head!

Sharks – Goblin shark:

There are so many wonderful examples of truly weird sharks such as Frilled Sharks, Cookiecutter sharks, Hammerhead Sharks and Ornate Wobbegongs. I think the Goblin Shark tops the bill for me. This strange benthic (Benthic means it lives on the ocean floor) species isn’t about to win a beauty pageant. Its skin tends to be bright pink, with a long protruding snout and a jaw below it that can extend far out of its mouth!

Dinosaurs – Parasaurolophus:

This dinosaur reached lengths of 10 meters. It has extensions on the back of its skull. These had acoustic qualities and it’s believed it used to make loud trumpeting calls over large distances. If you ask me, it’s pretty strange having a trumpet on your head!

Round 2 Biggest:

Sharks – Megalodon

These huge sharks are believed to be the largest fish that ever lived (though the Blue Whale remains the largest animal to ever live that we know of!) with females reaching lengths of approximately 18 meters. The diameter of their bite was around 3 meters! Some experts date the Megalodon back between 145 to 66 million years ago. Weighing in at roughly 6500kg.

Dinosaurs – Titanosaurs

There’s a range of titanosaurs, some huge and some small – Titanosauria is a family of dinosaurs, with remains found across seven continents. They thrived right up to the end of the Cretaceous. With remains often being incomplete, it means we know little about them, unfortunately. One of the largest is the Patagotitan. Discovered in Patagonia, Argentina in 2014. With estimated sizes of 40m long and weighing in at an estimated 7700kg! It would have been truly massive!

Round 3 Fame:

Sharks – Great White Sharks

Thanks to the efforts of books and movies for years now the Great white is undeniably a famous species of shark. Instantly recognisable and often the image that jumps to mind when you hear the word shark. Often displayed as a relentless eating machine, set on devouring everything it comes across. This couldn’t be further from the truth! Between 2011 and 2017, 259 people died in selfie-taking related accidents, compared to 50 people killed by sharks!

The Sand Tiger Sharks at Blue Planet Aquarium are a close relative to the Great White!

Dinosaurs – Tyrannosaurus Rex

I think this has to be the world’s most famous dinosaur. Even earned a nickname, often simply called T. Rex. It is the leading dinosaur in countless movies and books, subject to huge budget documentaries and captivated people’s imaginations for over 100 years. The first remains were discovered in 1902 in Hell Creek, Montana. Making its first appearance in the movies 16 years later in 1918’s “The Ghost of Slumber Mountain”

This was a difficult one, as Triceratops and Velociraptor were definitely in the running, I’ve gone for T. Rex because of the iconic imagery a certain popular dinosaur-based movie franchise uses in its films to this day. Most importantly (to me at least) Tyrannosaurus Rex was the first dinosaur my son learned to point out. Though at 18 months old it came out garbled as “danasaras ex!”

Round 4 Which came first?

Sharks

These guys are ancient, with the earliest fossil evidence being as old as 450 million years, during the late Ordovician period. Sharks have seriously evolved as predators, surviving through 4 of the “big five” mass extinction events.

Sharks are even older than trees. Trees are understood to have emerged between 350 to 420 million years ago. Only a few creatures predate sharks, things such as Nautilus, Jellyfish, Ctenophores and Sponges.

Dinosaurs

Nyasasaurus parringtoni is currently believed to be the oldest dinosaur. Remains discovered in Tanzania are roughly 243 million years old. Footprints were found from early dinosauriforms dating to the early Triassic nearly 250 million years ago.

Sharks date back much longer than dinosaurs, a whole 200 million years!

Conclusion:

It’s still difficult to choose, they’re both pretty cool! We still share our planet with a whole range of sharks that aren’t too dissimilar to their ancient counterparts. The fact that we can still respectfully admire these creatures means I’m going to go with the Sharks!

The winner is:

Sharks!

Shark Conservation

Due to environmental pressures such as climate change and the human impact on their habitats, 1 in 3 Sharks and Rays face the threat of extinction.

We can still do a lot to save and coexist harmoniously with sharks around the world. We should do all we can to look after them. They’ve survived some serious extinction events before, I believe we shouldn’t be responsible for them disappearing now.

If you would like to help in the effort to save sharks check out these organisations:

Bite-Back: Set up in 2004 with the aim of combating overfishing and overconsumption of wild sea fish.

The Shark Trust: Who makes it their mission to safeguard the future of sharks through positive change. Achieving this through science, education, influence and action.

Tags: Dinosaurs, Shark

Sand Tiger Sharks – Looks can be deceiving

Sand Tiger Sharks look scary at first glance with their long, sleek, grey bodies and pointed snouts. Also, take a look at their wide mouth full to the brim of vicious-looking teeth! Growing up to 3.2 metres long and weighing an extraordinary amount, they’re imposing. However, they’re quite docile.

Habitat

These sharks tend to inhabit the continental shelf from sandy shores and deep reefs. This is where they get the sand in their names. You’ll find them in warm waters across the world. Including Japan, Australia, South Africa, and the east coast of the Americas. They even lived in the Mediterranean. They’re now believed to be extinct in the area, due to no sightings for some time.

Behaviour

You’ll find Sand Tiger Sharks between the surface and depths of 200 meters. They’re the only shark we’re aware of that come to the surface to gulp air. They store air in their stomachs. This stored air means they’re able to float relatively still at a particular depth. Allowing them to efficiently stalk prey. Including small fish, crustaceans, and squid. They sometimes hunt in groups and can live in ‘Shivers’ within their habitat.

Threat of extinction

As we mentioned, Sand Tiger Sharks are widespread. Unfortunately, they have a very low reproduction rate. Making them vulnerable to population decline through external factors. Things like the destruction of coral reefs, the shark-fin trade and fishing by-catch. Sand Tiger Sharks are on the IUCN Red List as Critically Endangered.

The Sand Tiger Sharks of Blue Planet Aquarium

There are six Sand Tiger Sharks that call Blue Planet Aquarium home. Two females, Wilma and Betty. Four males, Alfie, Dave, Dingle and Flare. Betty is by far the largest, we estimate she’s about 36 stone and roughly 3 metres in length. Flare is the most recognisable with his extended jaw and prominent teeth. Dave is the smallest, only recently arriving at Blue Planet. Wilma is the eldest, with our records having her at a minimum of 25 years old. Alfie is the diver’s favourite and the most photogenic, he always seems to get the best photos! Dingle is our largest male and is a bit of a lovable giant.

Where to find them

You’ll find the Sand Tigers in our Ocean Exhibit, from our Aquatheatre window and all along the Shark Tunnel. You can’t miss them. They are the largest sharks that live at Blue Planet.

Tags: Animal Spotlight, Sand Tiger Shark, Shark

Scuba divers of Blue Planet Aquarium

If you’re like me, you may be curious about what Scuba Divers in a place like Blue Planet Aquarium actually get up to. Being in the fortunate position of already working in the aquarium, I asked if I could help the dive team for a day. In this post, I’ll share what I learned throughout the day.

Dive supervisor

I followed Sophie, one of our divers who was “Dive Supervisor” for the day. This means she was the person responsible for that day’s diver activities, records, and diver safety. Being a diver at Blue Planet is quite a varied job and doesn’t always mean being in the water, the Dive Supervisor is responsible for the days out of water tasks.

First things first

Our day started in the Food prep area of the aquarium. Whilst the other divers got into their wet suits, we prepared some tasty treats for the fish! This is where accurate record-keeping starts to become important. Preparing the correct weight of food for each of the fish being fed that day. Then recording it. This ensures the food is kept balanced and interesting. It also makes sure the fish are receiving the correct amount. Then prepare the feed for some of the smaller fish, which are fed all at once in a “scatter feed”.

Feeding the fish

Once the food is prepared we make a note of what each animal is being fed. Sophie relayed this to the SCUBA divers. Which makes them aware of what each fish has to eat that day. So that we can figure out how much each fish has eaten. Entering this into the notes for the day, so we can keep an eye on eating behaviours. We also keep an eye out for animal behaviour that may be out of the ordinary. What quickly became clear to me was the diver’s connections to the different animals within the aquarium. They do get to know their personalities.

SCUBA divers’ gear

In addition to wet suits, the SCUBA divers wear a Buoyancy Control Device (BCD). Which is a harness style vest, that they can inflate with air from their cylinders when they need to ascend. Attached to their BCD is their main cylinder, filled with compressed air and a smaller yellow cylinder called a Pony. The Pony is to be used in emergencies when the diver or one of their dive partners needs air.

Attached to their tanks are the regulators, which control the airflow whilst breathing underwater. These are sometimes part of a full facemask or standalone and paired with a half facemask, depending on the diver’s preference. The dive supervisor will make a log of the gear each diver is using and the air pressure currently in their cylinders. Next, if they’re feeding, come the gloves. First, is a white cotton glove for comfort next is a chainmail one for protection and on top goes an elasticated glove with a coating for grip. This protects the diver’s hands from the Stingrays and Sharks’ mouths, whilst making sure they can keep their grip on the feed.

SCUBA Divers in our shows. They’re more than just cool to watch.

Once in the water, the divers head over to the Aquatheatre. Where they do the first dive show of the day. There are always at least two SCUBA divers. One doing the feeding and one safety diver. They keep an eye out for any drifting Sand Tiger Sharks that are coming close. It’s the shark’s home and the divers need to move out of the way. As visitors take their seats on the dry side of the massive acrylic window, the divers already know which Stingrays to feed and how much they’re supposed to eat that day. Although the show can look hectic, when the divers resurface after it, they’re able to tell us exactly which Rays have eaten by their names.

Time to feed some sharks

Part of the Dive Supervisor role that day was to feed the Blacktip Reef Sharks, which was a highlight of the day for me as I got to do it! First, I attached the feed to a target. I lowered this into the water for the sharks to eat. Watching them swim up and grab the food was fun. As one of our SCUBA divers said, it feels a bit like reverse fishing!

The SCUBA divers daily jobs

As the divers of Blue Planet, the team are responsible for a lot of the upkeep of the aquarium’s exhibits. As well as feeding they also clean. They scrub algae from the inside of the glass and the walls. Even vacuum the floor of the exhibits to remove fish waste. All whilst respecting the animals of the exhibit, it’s important to remember the animals always have right of way! They’ll also maintain their diving equipment, refill air tanks, scrub salt from the fittings around our exhibits and train and escort divers on Blue Planet’s Shark Diving Experiences.

End of the day

At the end of the day the divers, will change, clean off and head home. The Dive supervisor will make any final notes on anything that happened that day, feeding habits, animal behaviours, equipment irregularities, and tasks completed. Lastly, clean up the containers for the animal’s food. When they’re done, it’s time to head home! It was a highly enjoyable day and a privilege to work with the dedicated people of the Blue Planet dive team and to work first-hand with the amazing animals that call the Aquarium home.

Tags: Blue Planet Aquarium, Dive, Scuba Diver, Shark Dive

Arabian Carpet Shark (Chiloscyllium arabicum)

Here at Blue Planet Aquarium, we have a large variety of sharks, from our giant Sand Tiger sharks to our smaller Arabian Carpet sharks. As smaller sharks, they frequently escape attention. Often found hiding in crevices along the reef, but do not be fooled by their elusive habits, they are excellent predators.

Arabian Carpet sharks are identifiable by their light brown appearance. They have around snout with a low jaw ideal for feeding off the reef floor. The dorsal fins are spineless and equal-sized and they have a long tail. These features allow flexibility around the reef and to hide effectively from potential predators. These like many sharks have five pairs of gill slits. However, carpet sharks like many bottom feeders have advanced spiracles located below the silvery eyes. Spiracles are the modified gill slits that allow the shark to breathe while stationary and enable the species to happily lie motionless in the water, avoiding predation and conserving energy. This adaptation has become recessive in many open water sharks. Arabians grow to four feet in length, this can take around three to five years depending on food availability.

Their habitats

Primarily found in tropical lagoons, in and around coral reefs and mangroves of the Arabian Gulf and the Indian Ocean. In the Arabian Peninsula habitat loss and commercial fishing have caused a drastic decline in the shark population within the last decade. The Arabian carpet shark is classified as a near-threatened species, meaning that its wild population is in decline. Despite this, there are no current conservation protection policies in place.

The Arabian Carpet Sharks of Blue Planet

At the aquarium we have nine mature adults helping us boost the species numbers, by allowing them to reproduce naturally in a predator-free environment and replicating cracks and crevices similar to a reef to hide in.
Our active adults mate throughout the year. The females are oviparous meaning they produce egg cases. Made of collagen, they’re commonly known as Mermaid’s Purses. Often they have lots of tendrils, these help them to attach to rocks when deposited. The eggs often contain a yolk, which if fertilised will develop into a juvenile shark after 70-80 days. These newly hatched sharks are only 8cm in length and are ready to hunt. Juveniles look very different to adults as they are black and white, with markings unique to the individual. As they continue to grow their markings change, until adult size.

You can see our baby sharks during your visit, they are usually at the end of the tunnel! Once the juveniles reach six months old we target train them ready to enter our larger display named Coral Cave. These captive-reared sharks will eventually re-enter our main tank and continue the circle of life.

Blog by: Abigail Green-Morris, Aquarist at Blue Planet Aquarium and Donovan Lewis, Diver at Blue Planet Aquarium.

Tags: Shark, Blue Planet Aquarium

Comparing the size of sharks from great whites to whale sharks, there’s no denying that some sharks are true behemoths of the sea. But how do sharks measure up against us humans? And are they really as imposingly large as you might think?

To find out, we’re taking a look at 10 different species of sharks. How they size up against both us and each other.

Whale Shark

Redefining the term ‘gentle giant’, the majestic whale shark is the largest fish in our seas. Comparing the size of sharks to humans, they’re 10 times the length. Nevertheless, these huge filter feeders are entirely harmless. Their gentle nature means they’re one of the most popular sharks to dive with. Remarkably, some of the largest whale sharks weigh in at 30 tonnes – four times heavier than an African bull elephant.

Basking Shark

Basking sharks have one of the most impressive mouths of the deep. Their jaws are able to open over a metre wide. Happily, like their slightly larger cousins, they’re filter feeders and pose little risk to humans. This is a good job, as comparing the size of sharks to humans, they’d almost certainly be able to swallow a person whole. Basking sharks travel vast distances on their annual migration and have been sighted in UK waters.

Megamouth Shark

As its name suggests, the megamouth shark is known for its huge mouth. Like basking and whale sharks, it uses for swallowing up masses of plankton in one tremendous gulp. Despite its cool name and large size, little is known about the megamouth, and it wasn’t discovered until 1976. Believed to be migratory, most sightings of the megamouth have occurred in the Pacific Ocean. This is where it’s known to feed on plankton and jellyfish.

Greenland Shark

Like the megamouth, little is known about the Greenland shark. Save for the fact that they live a very, very long time. This is thought to be due to the cold waters in which they live slowing their metabolism. This means they reach maturity much later than other sharks. The largest Greenland shark ever recorded was 7.3 metres. However, biologists agree that there may be much bigger individuals in the deep.

Great White Shark

With size, strength and over 300 razor-sharp teeth; great white sharks are truly formidable predators. On average, adult great whites measure in at around 4.5 metres, though many grow much bigger, up to 6 metres. But while they may be one of the ocean’s top apex predators, great whites are not innately aggressive to humans. They attack out of curiosity rather than the want of a meal. Instead, they prefer to feed on fattier prey, like seals, sea lions and even small whales.

Great Hammerhead Shark

The otherworldly great hammerhead is one of the most unique species of shark, for obvious reasons. Native to tropical waters, these unusual creatures feed along the seabed. They use their excellent vision and electrical signals to hunt their preferred meal, stingrays. Sadly, their long fins make them a lucrative target for the shark fin trade. This has led to them now being classified as critically endangered.

Bluntnose Sixgill Shark

The bluntnose sixgill shark is the largest species of fossil shark. A family of primordial marine creatures which have been around since the Jurassic period. These deep-water predators are identified by their flat heads, yellow teeth, long tail and their unique row of six-gill flaps. Despite its size, the Sixgill isn’t an apex predator. It is vulnerable to a handful of other animals, including killer whales, great white sharks and the Steller sea lion.

Common Thresher Shark

Often sighted in UK waters; the common thresher shark is a member of the thresher family, a genus of shark recognised for their long tailfins. Found throughout the world’s oceans, except for the polar regions. The Common Thresher is the largest, with its tail alone being longer than the average human. The thresher’s greatest strength is its speed. Its massive tailfin helps it glide through the water at an eye-popping pace.

Sand Tiger Shark

Native to the subtropical and temperate waters of the continental shelf. The Sand Tiger Shark is a relatively placid, slow-swimming shark. Sand Tigers are regularly sighted in the waters of Japan, South Africa as well as some parts of the Mediterranean. Visitors to Blue Planet Aquarium can get up close to this wonderful species in our Underwater Shark Tunnel exhibit.

Dwarf Lanternfish

Demonstrating the remarkable biodiversity of sharks, we have the Dwarf Lanternfish, the smallest shark species in the world. Native only to the continental slopes of Colombia and Venezuela. This little-known creature is a type of dogfish shark, which grows to a maximum of 20 cm. In comparison to Whale Sharks, it’s hard to believe that these remarkable animals are part of the same group.

At Blue Planet Aquarium, we believe that sharks of all shapes and sizes are incredibly fascinating. From the smallest species to the biggest predators.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this in-depth look at different shark species and how they measure up against us humans. For close encounters with sharks and other creatures of the deep, join us for an educational visit to Blue Planet Aquarium. Find ticket and visitor information on our homepage.

Sharks have long attracted fascination and intrigue, but what are they like to care for and dive with? To find out, we’re chatting to Joe Cross, Dive Officer here at Blue Planet Aquarium, about the day-to-day realities of looking after sharks – from their habits and behaviour, to what it’s like to feed them and dive with them.

Read the full Meet Our Keepers Q&A below.

Question 1:

Could you tell us about your role at Blue Planet Aquarium? What does your typical day-to-day look like, and what are you responsible for within the aquarium?

Zoo Keeper Joe:

I’m the Dive Officer at Blue Planet Aquarium. My role is to ensure animal and diver welfare is maintained to the highest quality as well as offer great diving experiences for our guests.

A typical day in the dive team starts in the kitchen. As you can imagine, it takes a lot of fish to feed our Main Tank. Once food preparation is done, it’s breakfast time for all the animals. The divers jump in and hand feed all our animals, except our three-metre sand tiger sharks, which get fed from a stick on the surface.

After breakfast, we clean the tank; all the rockwork needs scrubbing, the sand needs siphoning, and the windows need wiping. On weekends, we get to let our guests jump into the tank for a guided dive exploring the sharks’ home.

Question 2:

Many readers will be interested to hear how you got into your role. What qualifications and skills did you gain to work with animals at the aquarium? And is there any advice you’d give to someone seeking a similar role?

Zoo Keeper Joe:

Personally, I studied Marine and Freshwater Biology at Aberystwyth University, and am a PADI IDC staff instructor. The best way to get into a role like this one is to first get a PADI instructor rating. PADI is recognised around the world and is by far the biggest accreditation for anyone wanting to work in the diving industry.

The next most important thing to do is to be enthusiastic. As diving instructors, you’re an ambassador of the ocean, and it’s your role to inspire people to love the sea and all the animals you find in it. Being a people person is an essential skill.

Question 3:

What is the most interesting thing you’ve learnt about working alongside animals since you started working at Blue Planet Aquarium? Are there any aspects of caring for fish which surprised you when you first started?

Zoo Keeper Joe:

When I first started, a shark was a shark. It was difficult to distinguish between the individuals, but that changes very quickly, and you start to recognise them just like you would a pet. You start to pick up on an individual’s personality and what makes them tick. Working with all these animals is unbelievably rewarding.

Question 4:

Do you have a favourite fish in the aquarium? And which species is the most interesting to work with?

Zoo Keeper Joe:

My favourite sharks are the zebra sharks; they are the friendliest and have more of a personality of a dog than a fish. The most interesting fish to work with are the nurse sharks. They are the most intelligent sharks and the greediest, which is a difficult mix. They spend all day plotting and pushing the divers to work out how they can steal an extra bit of fish. The problem is, they are very good at it, which means we have to calorie count for them to prevent them from getting overweight.

Question 5:

How do you approach working with bigger species of fish? Is there ever an element of danger involved?

Zoo Keeper Joe:

It’s very easy to treat these animals as a family pet, but it’s important to recognise that isn’t the case. The animals aren’t domesticated and still have all the predatory traits of a wild animal.

Sharks get a bad reputation as man-eaters, which absolutely isn’t the case, but if we were to push these animals, they would eventually feel forced to defend themselves. This would get labelled in the media as the shark’s fault, and not the diver’s, and would further tarnish their reputation. Sharks are very safe to dive with, but require the individuals diving with them to give them respect. If you do that, there is absolutely no danger.

Question 6:

What would you say is your favourite exhibit within the aquarium? And what tips and advice would you give to visitors on how to make the most of their experience viewing these amazing animals?

Zoo Keeper Joe:

My favourite exhibit is the one that I look after, which is our Ocean Exhibit or Main Tank. The best way to view this is through our amazing 70-metre long tunnel. It feels very immersive, almost as if you’re actually in the tank with the animals.

Question 7:

Is there any particular aspect of caring for animals in an aquarium which you think would surprise visitors? For example, which fish eat the most on a typical day? And what does feeding time involve?

Zoo Keeper Joe:

I think most people have a bad impression of sharks, thinking that they just don’t stop eating. Which really isn’t the case. Our largest sharks eat around 5-7 kg of fish a week, which isn’t a lot considering the size of the animals.

When we feed the sand tiger sharks, we have a rattle which we shake in the water to signal that it’s dinner time. Then, we feed them their fish on two bits of wood which are taped together to form chopsticks. We record what every shark eats to help maintain their health and wellbeing.

Question 8:

If you could introduce one marine animal into the aquarium, regardless of size and practicality, which species would it be and why?

Zoo Keeper Joe:

I would introduce remoras. They are the fish which you see attached to whales and sharks in documentaries. When you encounter them while driving, they will often attach themselves to divers too. Most fish are scared of divers, so it’s nice when you encounter animals that aren’t.  

Question 9:

Do you have a passion for marine life outside of work? If so, what do you enjoy doing? And would you like to go scuba diving at famous sites, like the Great Barrier Reef?

Zoo Keeper Joe:

Yes, it’s captivating being a diver. The things you get to see while diving are spectacular, and it all feels very exclusive because the majority of people never take the plunge and come and discover the underwater world. I’m very lucky that I have been able to go diving all around the world.

You don’t have to be a diver to enjoy the marine world, though. I love just going for a beach walk; the amount of stuff you can find washed up on a beach or lurking in a rockpool is amazing. If money was no object, I would love to go diving in the Maldives. Pristine beaches and unbelievable marine life – what more could you ask for? 

Question 10:

Diving with sharks is, of course, one of the most popular attractions at Blue Planet Aquarium. Could you tell us a little more about what visitors can expect from the experience? As well as the sharks they’re likely to encounter?

Zoo Keeper Joe:

Diving with sharks is a unique experience. The first time you do it, you have an explosion of sensations. You are very aware that you’re in the water, within touching distance, of three-metre predators, but equally, diving is very relaxing. There are lots of different sharks in the tanks; you have sand tiger sharks, nurse sharks, zebra sharks and bamboo sharks. There is nowhere else in the UK where you will be guaranteed so many close encounters with big sharks.

We’d like to thank Joe Cross for taking the time to fill us in on what caring for sharks is really like.

At Blue Planet Aquarium, we offer the chance for you and your family to dive with sharks! Experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to come face-to-face with these amazing species, and discover how they hunt, socialise and spend their days. If you fancy a close encounter with these majestic animals, visit the Blue Planet Aquarium homepage to purchase tickets and start planning your visit today.