The Six Types of Shark That Call SeaQuest Home

Spot This One: Reef Shark

Blacktip Reef Sharks can be easily identified by the black tips on all of their fins. They are one of the most commonly seen species of shark found in the Pacific Ocean’s tropical coral reefs. Unfortunately, these beautiful sharks are prone to overfishing, and with their low reproductive rate, their population can struggle to rebound. Luckily, Blacktip Reef Sharks are thriving in captivity. 

The Friendly Shark: Whitespotted Bamboo Shark

The Whitespotted Bamboo Shark is classified as a “carpet shark,” which means that it is in the Orectolobiformes order. Carpet sharks interestingly got their name due to the ornate patterns that resemble carpets! This breed of sharks is categorized by their gill slits— of which they have five, two spineless dorsal fins, and a smallmouth. This nocturnal friend is harmless to humans and is occasionally kept as a pet in larger aquariums. This oviparous shark lays eggs that hatch after 14 or 15 weeks. In 2002 there was a riveting account of a female white-spotted bamboo shark hatching eggs without any apparent fertilization! 

The Sneaky Shark: Horn Shark

Sharks are commonly known for ruling the open waters, but not the horn shark! The horn shark is known for hiding out in the shadows that cover the seafloor. These slow-moving predators hunt at night alone and then retreat to shelter during the day. When horn sharks find their prey, consisting of invertebrates and small bony fish, they extract it using suction. The dangers of shark finning do not commonly target horn sharks, but they are caught as bycatch (accidentally when fishing for other fish). 

The Little Guy: Catsharks

Catsharks can be found in temperate and tropical seas around the world. They get their name from their elongated cat-like eyes and small dorsal fins that sit towards the back of their bodies. Though small, this carnivorous shark is one of the largest families of sharks, with around 160 species! Surprisingly, catsharks are poor swimmers, meaning they do not participate in long-distance migrations. They also exhibit habitat segregation, where males and females live in separate areas. The females typically live in caves and shelters to protect eggs, while the males live in open seabeds. 

The Harmless Giant: Nurse Shark

How did the nurse shark get its name? Unfortunately, no one knows! The origin of this name is unclear, but many theories have been presented. Some say the name comes from the sucking sound nurse sharks make when hunting prey in the sand, which resembles a nursing baby’s sound. Another option is that it comes from the medieval word “nurse.” Hurse was a name used long ago to describe many shark species, and it is believed that it was mispronounced as “nurse.” Nurse sharks are slow swimmers and bottom-dwelling sharks. Their strong mouths are filled with thousands of tiny teeth that dine on invertebrates and fish. Nurse sharks are smooth and brown-grey; the large tail fins that adorn their bodies can be up to one-fourth of their total length!

Shark Conservation

Sharks play an essential part in the ocean’s food chain and help balance the ecosystem. There is an increased demand for shark products which is producing a significant issue with shark hunting and finning. Overfishing, shark finning, and other irresponsible ocean activities threaten the ocean ecosystem and cause the extinction of many shark species. Sharks are increasingly vulnerable to these attacks due to the fact that they are slow to reach reproductive age, reproduce slowly, and are long-lived. Each hour 11,417 sharks are slaughtered. 

For more information on shark finning and shark conservation, book your next visit to SeaQuest and learn about how you can help protect these wonderful animals. 

SeaQuest is committed to protecting our world’s oceans and endangered animals. We focus on how to be proactive in finding solutions. To learn more about how you can help SeaQuest with this cause, book your visit today at any of the following locations: Utah, Las Vegas, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Sacramento, Minneapolis, Connecticut, Lynchburg, and New Jersey.