Look! Two Oceans Aquarium welcomes two new ragged-tooth sharks

The Two Oceans Aquarium recently welcomed two new ragged-tooth sharks, Jemma and Harper, who are now housed in the “Save Our Seas Foundation” shark exhibit. Also read: WATCH: Ragged-tooth sharks grab a bite to eat at the Two Oceans Aquarium The sharks were ethically collected on Thursday, 17 December, in Kei Mouth, in the Eastern Cape, and safely transported to... Read more → The post Look! Two Oceans Aquarium welcomes two new ragged-tooth sharks appeared first on CapeTown ETC.

Dec 20, 2022 - 20:56
Look! Two Oceans Aquarium welcomes two new ragged-tooth sharks

The Two Oceans Aquarium recently welcomed two new ragged-tooth sharks, Jemma and Harper, who are now housed in the “Save Our Seas Foundation” shark exhibit.

Also read: WATCH: Ragged-tooth sharks grab a bite to eat at the Two Oceans Aquarium

The sharks were ethically collected on Thursday, 17 December, in Kei Mouth, in the Eastern Cape, and safely transported to the aquarium in a holding tank filled with oxygenated water. Once they arrived at the aquarium, they were sedated before being removed from the holding tank and placed in the shark exhibit, where they are currently housed. Both sharks have adjusted well to their new environment.

Picture: Ragged-tooth sharks / Two Oceans Aquarium

Picture: Ragged-tooth sharks / Two Oceans Aquarium

According to the Aquarium, “ragged-tooth sharks are generally kept in the Aquarium for a few years before they are released back into the ocean. Previous studies of our released sharks that have been tagged show no significant difference in behaviour between those housed in the Aquarium for several years and wild sharks that have never left the ocean.”

Picture: Ragged-tooth sharks / Two Oceans Aquarium

Here are some interesting facts about ragged-tooth sharks you may not know:

  • They are the only sharks that swim to the surface to gulp up air-bubbled water to adjust their buoyancy. They’ll burp up any excess air bubbles if they’ve swallowed too much.
  • They live for about 4o years and grow to lengths of about 3.2 metres.
  • They prefer shallower waters.
  • Contrary to its physical appearance, the ragged-tooth shark is docile, slow-moving and mostly harmless to humans in its environment.
  • Ragged-tooth sharks are entirely independent from the time they are birthed.

Be sure to look out for Jemma and Harper on your next visit to the aquarium.

Also read:

Look! Bronze Whaler shark spotted leaping out of the water in Kalk Bay

Picture: Two Oceans Aquarium

 

The post Look! Two Oceans Aquarium welcomes two new ragged-tooth sharks appeared first on CapeTown ETC.

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